SIKESTON-Work to replace the Route 142 bridge over Main Ditch in Butler County is expected to begin Monday, July 16, weather permitting. The bridge is located approximately 3 miles east of Neelyville. As construction is underway, the roadway will remain closed from County Road 351 to County Road 259. Completion is anticipated by mid-August.

The project is part of the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. The program was designed to repair or replace over 800 of the state's lowest-rated bridges in five years. Currently, 759 bridges have been completed, and the program is on track to be completed this fall-over one year ahead of schedule.

Improvements through Safe & Sound were considered to be complete in Butler County after the programmed projects were finished on Routes TT, OO and AA. However, savings were identified and to make the best use of taxpayers' dollars, additional projects were prioritized.

The Route 142 bridge replacement was one of the projects added to the statewide Safe & Sound program.

Signs and warning devices will be in place as improvements are underway. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For more information, please contact District Construction and Materials Engineer Andy Meyer at (573) 472-5296, Assistant Resident Engineer Tammy Hefner at (573) 840-9781, 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or visit www.modot.org/southeast/safeandsound.htm.

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