Districts Impacted
The Boone County Route 163 bridge over Bonne Femme Creek was built in 1958, was in poor condition, and had weight and speed restrictions for vehicles using the bridge. The Missouri Department of Transportation is working with contractor Widel, Inc. to replace the 65-year-old bridge with a new structure that will bring it up to current standards and will remove the posted restrictions.
Project Progress
The Missouri Department of Transportation worked with consultants Horner & Shifrin to design a new bridge to replace the aging, poor-condition structure over Bonne Femme Creek on Missouri Route 163.
The project was part of MoDOT's January 2023 letting when contractors submitted competitive bids for the project. At their February 2023 meeting, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract for $774,243.90 to Widel, Inc. to complete the bridge replacement project.
Contractors from Widel Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, closed Route 163 at the Bonne Femme Creek Bridge, on Monday, April 10, and removed the aging structure. The next day, excavations for the foundation of the new bridge revealed an underground void that was later determined to be associated with the Devil’s Ice Box cave system.
Work was halted as MoDOT staff worked with partner agencies and organizations to investigate, gather information, and analyze data to determine how to proceed with the successful replacement of the Bonne Femme Creek Bridge while minimizing environmental impacts to the cave system.
After design modifications, MoDOT notified the contractor they could resume work on Monday, June 12.
The roadway will remain closed at the bridge through the completion of the project and motorists continue be directed over a signed detour on Route 163 (Providence Road), Route AC (Grindstone Parkway) and U.S. Route 63.
The project is expected to be complete in September 2023.
The roadway reopened Sept. 6, 2023.
Signed Detour Route
Project News
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Work resumes at the Bonne Femme Creek Bridge on Boone County Route 163
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – The Missouri Route 163 Bonne Femme Creek Bridge, located just west of U.S. Route 63, built in 1958, was in poor condition and had weight and speed restrictions for vehicles using the bridge. Contractors from Widel Inc., working...
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is MoDOT replacing the current Bonne Femme Bridge?
A: The existing Missouri Route 163 bridge over Bonne Femme Creek was built in 1958, is in poor condition, and currently has weight and speed restrictions for vehicles using the bridge. The new structure will be up to current standards and will remove the posted restrictions.
Q: How will the new bridge construction affect traffic?
A: The contractor closed the bridge to all traffic beginning Monday, April 10. A signed detour is in place over Route 163 (Providence Road), Route AC (Grindstone Parkway) and U.S. Route 63.
The roadway will remain closed at the bridge through the completion of the project.
Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A: You may email cdcr@modot.mo.gov or call us at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference Boone County Route 163 Bonne Femme Creek Bridge on your inquiries.
Q: How can I stay updated on the project's progress?
A: Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
For more information about this or other MoDOT projects, please contact our 24-hour Customer Service line at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636).