CLINTON, MO - The Missouri Department of Transportation will host a community briefing regarding bridge improvements to the Route N Bridge over Honey Creek north of Clinton and other bridges in Henry County as part of MoDOT's Safe and Sound Bridge program. The open-house style meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in the Benson Exhibition Center, 1008 East Sedalia in Clinton, Mo.

The Safe and Sound Bridge Program will improve 800 of Missouri's worst bridges in five years.  In the Kansas City area, MoDOT will replace or repair 145 bridges, with 25 in the Henry County area.  MoDOT will repair its first bridge in Henry County on Route N, which was let in early April. Construction will begin in spring. Complete bridge closure is necessary as it allows the contractor to complete the work quickly and get the bridges back open faster. It also keeps our costs down 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. Once construction begins, the contractor has 45 days to complete the work.

MoDOT is working closely with city officials, emergency responders and the school district to ensure that all the information is made available, and the safest detour route is in place during the bridge closure. Those wishing to seek more information on the bridge closures for Route N Bridge over Honey Creek are urged to attend the Community Briefing on Tuesday, May 12 from 4-6 p.m. at the Benson Center. For more information about the Safe and Sound Bridge Program, please visit our website at http://www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity/safesound.htm.

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