A 120-year-old railroad bridge is now a free restaurant

A 120-year-old railroad bridge over the Kansas River reopened in April as the Rock Island Bridge, a restaurant and event space with a walking path connecting Kansas and Missouri. CEO Mike Zeller, who holds a 66-year lease on the structure, first noticed the old crossing on a boat trip and thought someone should do something with it. Ten years later, in 2017, he founded Flying Truss LLC to lead the $20 million renovation. Some 35 local businesses donated materials and labor, including a legal firm that worked pro bono for seven years. Engineers found the original steel, built by Andrew Carnegie's firm, sturdy enough to need only a few new bolts and some rust addressed. The truss beams still plunge through the walkway and even the tables, and the old rail track now serves as footrests along the bar. Entry is free. Zeller called it a gift from about 200 Kansas Citians to their city.