When the 60-year-old Amidon Avenue bridge over the Arkansas River reached the end of its service life, the City of Wichita, Kansas, selected us to design reconstruction of the bridge that carries approximately 16,000 vehicles daily. From the outset, challenges loomed, including contractor availability due to overlapping large-scale projects and an accelerated timeline to complete in-river work before the spring fish spawning season. When a bridge-mounted sludge line needed relocation underground amid a material shortage, the team swiftly found alternatives, ensuring the project stayed on track.

Throughout, the team delivered innovative, cost-effective solutions, saving the City millions through value engineering, pile optimization, and seismic pile design—which even garnered attention within the industry in Kansas. Opting for semi-integral abutments instead of traditional expansion joints provided significant long-term savings by avoiding costly future repairs.

Support from other City entities played a pivotal role. When construction disconnected a neighborhood from nearby businesses, Wichita Transit stepped in, providing residents with 50,000 free rides along a new route. Similarly, when another neighborhood lost its connection to its local fire station, a temporary fire station was set up to maintain emergency services.

The completed bridge—featuring lighting towers adorned with artwork designed by a local art teacher—stands as a vital, durable river crossing for the entire community. The bridge’s two observation areas provide pedestrians with a place to enjoy nature. All of this enhances a sense of civic pride and community connection.