What does the Safe & Sound sign mean?
When drivers see Safe & Sound bridges they should begin thinking about the probability that they will be closed during construction and plan accordingly. For alternate routes, as well as up-to-the minute information on bridge construction, closures and progress, you can click on the current projects link.
Why close the bridges?
Closing these bridges lets the contractor complete the work quickly and get the bridges back open faster. It also keeps our costs down.
Full closures reduce cost by minimizing the need for additional right of way and for costly roadway work. Every bridge that’s closed during construction allows us to work on another bridge in need of attention.
How do I find detours for the bridge closures?
The MoDOT website has posted detours on its website for every bridge. MoDOT posts detours only on state routes. Because of the rural nature of some of these locations the detour can be lengthy, sometimes more than 20 miles.
What bridges are currently under construction?
In District 4 there are 12 bridges that will be awarded for construction by April 2009. Construction of these bridges will be completed in 2009. Once the contractor receives a notice to proceed from MoDOT, the contractor normally has about 6 months to complete the project. However, they may only close the bridge for a maximum of 60 calendar days for construction. You can click on current projects to see more details about these bridges.
How are we reaching out to the affected communities?
We host community briefings in each county at close to the time a project is going to be awarded. We work with cities, counties, schools and emergency responders individually. In addition we post all information on the District 4 website. We will use postcards, briefings to the media and email to alert motorists of closures.
How will MoDOT improve the 802 bridges?
MoDOT will solicit Design-Build proposals to replace 554 bridges in a single contract. All bridge replacements are in the design-build proposal. That package was advertised this fall and will be awarded later in 2009. The other 248 bridges to be improved, including at least 100 that will be under construction early in 2009, will be contracted using a modified design-bid-build approach, where projects are grouped by type, size or location to accelerate construction schedules.
Will my taxes be raised to pay for this project?
MoDOT will sell bonds to pay for the project, with annual payments of approximately $50 million. MoDOT will use roughly one-third of the Federal bridge placement funds it receives each year to make those payments. The Safe & Sound program requires no additional funding.
How did you select bridges for Safe & Sound?
While all MoDOT bridges are in safe condition, the Safe & Sound program targets the 802 bridges in the worst condition. In addition bridges chosen have the least need for additional road work or need for land purchased were selected. MoDOT chose to not include any bridges over 1,000 foot and no bridges crossing the Mississippi or Missouri rivers.
What does a typical bridge on the list look like?
A typical Safe & Sound bridge is 147 feet long and 24 feet wide, about 60 years old, and in a rural location. The average daily traffic of the bridges is about 1,900 vehicles, but about 300 of the bridges carry less than 400 vehicles per day.
What is Modified Design Bid Build?
There are 248 bridges which need repair but not replacement. These bridges will be sent out for contract in MoDOT's traditional process where projects are grouped by type, size or location to accelerate construction schedules. At least 100 of these bridges will be under construction by Spring 2009. The remaining 148 bridges will be completed over five years. District 4 has 43 bridges in this category.
What is Design Build?
MoDOT will solicit Design-Build proposals to replace 554 bridges in a single contract. All bridge replacements are in the design-build proposal. That package was advertised this fall, a short list of design-build teams were announced in December and the "Best Value" proposal will be selected in late spring 2009. District 4 has 102 bridges on the design build list.
How is the way MoDOT will deliver Safe and Sound different from its original proposal?
MoDOT has taken responsiblity for the financing of the project and maintenance of the bridges. In addition, MoDOT staff will take on additional responsibilities in the delivery of the project to help keep costs low. The Design-Build-Finance-Maintain model, originally sought by MoDOT, proved to be too expensive in the current credit market because of the program’s requirement for private financing.
How does MoDOT rate bridges?
MoDOT bridge inspectors routinely inspect all 10,000 state bridges on a regular schedule. The bridge deck and other structures are individually rated, with 9 being a new bridge and a rating of 2 being when a bridge is closed to traffic. With Safe & Sound, MoDOT is working to eliminate condition 3 and 4 on high traffic highways and condition 3 on less traveled roads. In addition the program will eliminate many condition 4 bridges as possible on less traveled roads.
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