SIKESTON-The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold an open-house community briefing from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, to discuss upcoming bridge projects in Scott County. The briefing will be held at the Scott County Courthouse located at 131 S. Winchester St., Benton, Mo.

"Visitors can stop-by anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to discuss the details with a member of the project team and provide their comments," said Project Manager Eric Krapf.

Improvements to the Route E overpass over Interstate 55 and the Route H bridge over Lateral St. John's Ditch will be discussed.

The Route E project will include replacing the bridge deck. The improved bridge will be 2 feet wider than the existing structure. The Route H project will include replacing the existing bridge with a box culvert.

As the projects are underway, the bridges will remain closed. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2013, with completion in August 2013, weather permitting.

For more information, please contact Krapf at (573) 472-5261, Transportation Project Designer David Blalock at (573) 472-5295 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636). An online meeting is also available at: http://www.modot.org/southeast/news_and_information/public_meetings/index.htm

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