DISTRICT 8, SPRINGFIELD - Work to rebuild city street approaches will continue along U.S. 60/Route 413 in Republic the weeks of July 19 and July 26 as part of the ongoing highway widening project, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Drivers will have to find alternate routes where a city street may be closed at Route 60/413.
MoDOT and its contractors are making every effort to keep the city and businesses and the entire community fully informed when street closings are needed and when driveways must be rebuilt, said MoDOT's Andy Mueller, an engineer overseeing the project.
"These temporary closings are necessary in order to move utilities, upgrade storm drains and place new concrete pavement," Mueller said.
When concrete is poured for a street approach, the entrance may remain closed for up to seven days to allow the concrete to cure properly.
This may frustrate some drivers who wonder why the roadway cannot be reopened sooner, Mueller said.
The extended time, he explained, is necessary to keep the concrete from cracking prematurely, resulting in potholes and deterioration of the road surface.
The first five days are critical to the strength of a section of new concrete, he said.
"If we can keep traffic off of it during that time, we can significantly increase the total life expectancy of that pavement," Mueller said.
Week of July 19
Here's a look at the streets closed to traffic at the highway the week of July 19:
* Hines Street on the NORTH side of the highway is closed until the end of July or the first week of August.
Crews are rebuilding the approach, relocating water and sewer lines and putting in new water drain pipes and installing traffic signal posts.
* Logan Street on the SOUTH side of the highway will remain closed until the new concrete pavement at the approach has hardened enough to bear traffic.
* Lee Street on the SOUTH side is scheduled to be closed during the week of July 19 or July 26 -- after Logan Street is re-opened.
Other work planned the week of July 19 will take place AWAY from traffic.
Crews will build new curbs and street and driveway entrances along the SOUTH side of the highway between Hines and Elm streets.
On the NORTH side of the highway, crews will build new curbs and sidewalks and do excavating and grading work.
Week of July 26:
An early heads-up for the week of July 26 shows the following work schedule, which is subject to change:
* The Hines Street approach will continue to be closed on the NORTH side of the highway.
* Logan Street or Lee Street, on the SOUTH side, will be closed.
* Harrison Street and Morningside Avenue, both on the SOUTH side, may be closed to rebuild the city street approaches.
Crews will continue building new curbs and rebuilding driveway entrances on the SOUTH side of the highway.
On the NORTH side, excavating, grading and sidewalk and curb construction will continue.
All of that work should take place AWAY from traffic.
Rain will cause delays in the project.
No night work is scheduled for the weeks of July 19 and 26.
Drivers can expect bumps to remain at some city street approaches that have been rebuilt until they can be paved next spring.
When workers are present on the job, the U.S. 60/Route 413 speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.
Drivers are urged to slow down through the work zone and watch for cars turning slowly into driveways that may be half closed.
Giving Advance Warning
MoDOT and its contractors will continue to work closely with city officials and businesses and others directly affected when planning the street closings, Mueller said.
"For example, we met with school officials before closing Hines Street (on the NORTH side of the highway), and they asked us to at least wait until school was out for the summer," Mueller said, referring to the Hines Street location of Republic High School. "We were able to accommodate this request and even wait until the summer sessions were out as well."
Emergency service agencies and dispatchers are being notified when streets are closed so that responders can plan alternate routes, he said.
Background
The prime contractor on the $6.1-million widening project along U.S.60/Route 413 in Republic is Journagan Construction of Springfield. Some sewer and water line work is being done by the City of Republic, a partner with MoDOT on the project.
The project involves adding a lane in each direction and rebuilding city street approaches and driveway entrances between Hines Street and West Avenue, with work continuing into the fall. The highway will be resurfaced through Republic's city limits in the spring of 2005 after the weather warms up.
