MoDOT is working to design a bridge rehabilitation project of the north and southbound I-29 bridges over the Nishnabotna River in Atchison County. The design phase includes right of way acquisition, if needed, and a public input period.

The bridges, built in 1971, will be rehabilitated as part of Gov. Mike Parson's $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

During the March 2021 meeting, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the contract to Phillips Hardy, Inc.

Project construction is currently planned as follows:

• Monday, May 10, 2021 – COMPLETE - crews will close both north and southbound passing lanes to begin construction of median crossovers. During construction, intermittent lane closures are possible.
• Early June 2021 – COMPLETE - crossovers will be utilized to direct traffic head-to-head in the southbound lanes of I-29 at the bridges. The replacement of the northbound bridge over the Nishnabotna River will begin.
• Late October 2021 - COMPLETE - once work on the northbound bridge is complete, construction will stop for the winter season. During this time, traffic will be restored to two-lanes in each direction.
• March 2, 2022 – crossovers will be utilized to direct traffic head-to-head in the northbound lanes of I-29 at the bridges. The replacement of the southbound bridge over the Nishnabotna River will begin.
• Late September/Early October 2022 – once work on the southbound bridge is complete, traffic will be restored, and removal of the median crossovers will begin. During crossover removal intermittent lane closures are possible. 

Overall completion for the project is scheduled for early December.

As part of construction, I-29 traffic will be head-to-head during the project.