Home Working with Section 106 ACHP Case Digest

Summer 2005 Kansas: Replacement of the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, Atchison

Agency: Federal Highway Administration

In March and June 2005, the ACHP met with the proposed project’s other consulting parties in Topeka, Kansas. They include the Kansas and Missouri State Historic Preservation Officers, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Atchison Preservation Alliance, and Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) divisions.

The consulting parties discussed alternatives being developed by the Kansas DOT for either rehabilitation or replacement of the historic bridge, and the Kansas FHWA’s assessment of effects for the undertaking.

After discussing the bridge’s rehabilitation options, the consulting parties recommended ways to avoid or minimize or mitigate the adverse effects of the changes needed to accommodate increased traffic volume and meet safety standards. From FHWA’s perspective, the major impediment to rehabilitating the bridge (combined with construction of a new two-lane bridge to the south), is that the costs are greater.

The consulting parties also discussed possible measures to mitigate the effects of demolition of the bridge, if FHWA decides to build a new four-lane bridge and demolish the historic Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge.

Kansas DOT agreed to provide the consulting parties with additional information on the proposed changes to the historic bridge and to obtain paint samples to determine if lead toxicity will be an issue for rehabilitation.

The ACHP informed the parties that it will participate as a consulting party and signatory to the Memorandum of Agreement for this undertaking. For background information on this case, see the summer 2004 ACHP Case Digest at www.achp.gov/casearchive/casessum04KS.html.

Staff contact: Carol Legard

Updated August 31, 2005

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