Three pedestrians on the newly finished Armour-Swift bridge make use of the pedestrians' roadway, designated as such by the bridge's designers. Kansas Citians were proud of this new mile-long structure when it was finally completed and opened to traffic Dec. 28, 1911. It was the first important link between Kansas City and Clay County, though for years there had been regular ferry boat service between Harlem, on the north bank of the Missouri River, and Kansas City on the south bank. Building of the bridge had been authorized in 1887, but it was not until 1890 that the great stone piers were erected (and with great difficulty) by W. E. Winner. Then proper financing was not available, so the piers stood unused the next 11 years. Tolls were collected by 11 toll takers until 1927, when the bridge became free. Major repairs to the old bridge, now known as A.-S.-B., or Armour-Swift-Burlington, or the building of a new one, now are being considered. Kansas City Star, July 24, 1976.
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