From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 6, 1973:

A new bridge leading from Massachusetts Street over the Kansas River was projected to cost $3 million, according to city consulting engineers. Plans to repave the bridge beginning next week were proceeding, but consultants were advising the city that full repair of the then-57-year-old bridge would cost $925,000 and would be a “poor investment.” Public Works Director George Williams said that the repaving project would cost $5,500 and although it would leave the roadway “smooth as a baby’s bottom,” it would only stay that way for two months and probably wouldn’t be paved again. The consultants were recommending construction of twin 28-foot roadways with sidewalks on the outside and a bicycle path between the roadways. “We suggest that a new two-lane bridge be constructed west of the existing bridge and that the existing bridge be kept open to traffic with minimum necessary repairs during construction,” their report stated.