Aurora – Drivers can expect major traffic pattern changes and be prepared to find alternate routes beginning the week of November 4 as progress is made on a project to improve railroad crossing safety in Aurora, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Contractor crews will close Lawrence County Route K (Elliott Avenue) at the railroad crossing for a period of time and once that work is complete will close Missouri Route 39 for a time to install a new box culvert.
Here’s a look at the upcoming traffic impacts:
- Thursday, Nov. 7 – Contractor crews will CLOSE Route K (Elliott Avenue) at the railroad crossing between Olive Street and Mill Street for up to six days to complete crossing improvements, including sidewalks, pedestrian gates, asphalt and median barrier
- Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the road closure
- There will be no signed detour, drivers are urged to find alternate routes
- Wednesday, Nov. 13 – Once Route K reopens, Missouri Route 39 will CLOSE near Carnation Drive for up to two weeks while the contractor installs a new culvert at Chat Creek and connect Route 39 to the new bridge over the BNSF tracks, including installing guardrail, final paving and striping
- Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using Route K and Route FF to avoid the work zone
The contractor intends to have all traffic open and restored to normal patterns by Thanksgiving. However, weather and/or scheduling issues may alter the work schedule.
The work is all part of a larger project to improve railroad crossing safety in Aurora including building a new railroad bridge on Route 39, improving the cross on Route K (Elliott Avenue) and closing rail crossings on Morgan and McNatt Avenues.
Once the project is completed and all of the crossing improvements are made, the City of Aurora will apply to the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a quiet zone which means trains will no longer sound their warning horns while traveling between Route 39 and Elliot Avenue in Aurora.
Project background
- Prime contractor: Hartman & Company Inc., Springfield
- Completion date: December 16, 2019
- Construction costs: $6.7 million
(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest)
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