Willow Springs, Mo. - As recently shared at a community briefing hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the bridge over the Eleven Point River on Route 17 in Howell County will temporarily close during improvement work during the 2009 construction season under the Safe & Sound bridge improvement program. According to South Central District Safe & Sound Coordinator Ed Hess, the department recognizes there will be impacts to those who live on or travel the route.

Among the efforts to make the most up-to-date information available to the public, a web page has been created on the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) website. "This page is located at www.modot.mo.gov/southcentral/ and features the latest information available," Hess said. "When visitors click on the Safe & Sound logo, they are taken to a page where they can view photos and read about plans for the bridges by county. We also have the community briefing schedule, program information and news releases posted there."

According to Hess, this page is a good resource for those who may have been unable to attend the meeting or anyone seeking an update. "As new information becomes available, it will be posted on the page," he said.

Those with questions about the program or plans for specific bridges also are welcome to call the MoDOT Customer Service Center, toll-free, at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636).

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