<P> Originally, Kansas City was the launching point for travelers on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails . Later, with the construction of the Hannibal Bridge across the Missouri River, it became the junction of 11 trunk railroads . More rail tonnage passes through the city than any other U.S. city . Trans World Airlines (TWA) located its headquarters in the city, and had ambitious plans to turn the city into an air hub . </P> <P> Missouri and Kansas were the first states to start building interstates with Interstate 70 . Interstate 435, which encircles the entire city, is the second longest beltway in the nation . (Interstate 275 around Cincinnati, Ohio is the longest .) The Kansas City metro area has more limited access highway lane - miles per capita than any other large US metro area, over 27% more than the second - place Dallas--Fort Worth metroplex, over 50% more than the average American metropolitan area . The Sierra Club blames the extensive freeway network for excessive sprawl and the decline of central Kansas City . On the other hand, the relatively uncongested road network contributes significantly to Kansas City's position as one of America's largest logistics hubs . </P> <P> Kansas City International Airport was built to TWA's specifications to make a world hub . Its original passenger - friendly design placed each of its gates 100 feet (30 m) from the street . Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, it required a costly overhaul to conform to the tighter security protocols . Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport was TWA's original headquarters and houses the Airline History Museum . It is still used for general aviation and airshows . </P> <P> Like most American cities, Kansas City's mass transit system was originally rail - based . From 1870 to 1957, Kansas City's streetcar system was among the top in the country, with over 300 miles (480 km) of track at its peak . The rapid sprawl in the following years led this private system to be shut down . </P>

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