COOPER COUNTY - The public is invited to attend open-house community briefings to learn about planned improvements in Cooper County for the Harlan Branch Bridge on Route BB and the Chouteau Creek Bridge on Route M.  The Harlan Branch Bridge is located four miles south of Route 135.  The Chouteau Creek Bridge is located two miles south of Interstate 70.

The briefings will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 from 4-6 p.m. at Otterville City Hall located at 204 N. Cherry Street and on Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 4-6 p.m. at Pilot Grove City Hall located at 213 College. 

The projects include replacing the bridge decks.  Work is planned for spring and summer 2009 and the bridges will be closed for several weeks during the work.  The improvements are being planned as part of MoDOT's Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. 

During the community briefing, MoDOT staff will be on hand to discuss details about the project plans and proposed detours.  The public may attend at anytime during the advertised hours.  For more information or accessibility information for the physically disabled, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or TDD 1-800-735-2966 for the hearing impaired.

The Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program will improve 800 of Missouri's worst bridges in five years.  Ninety bridges will be replaced or repaired in the mid-Missouri area as a part of this program.  For more information about the planned work or for a complete listing of bridges included in the program, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or log onto www.modot.org/central.