Districts Impacted
The bridge on Missouri Route 19 in Dent County that goes over Standing Rock Creek, near Gladden, is set to be replaced. The bridge, sometimes referred to as the Gladden Creek Bridge, is in poor condition and does not meet current standards. Built in 1924, the bridge carries approximately 900 vehicles per day over its 104-foot deck. A project to replace the poor-condition bridge is currently scheduled for completion on or before May 1, 2025.
Project Progress
The Missouri Department of Transportation and its contractors are designing a replacement bridge over Standing Rock Creek to bring the bridge up to current standards and replace the current poor-condition bridge.
The estimated cost for the project is $1.8 million. This cost may change.
Information open house meeting:
A public information open house was held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the Salem Community Center at the Armory (1200 W. Rolla Road, Salem, MO). Members from the project team were on hand to answer questions and receive comments. Exhibits were on display outlining the planned work, traffic impacts, and planned detour route to be used during construction. There was no formal presentation so interested parties were able to come and go as they pleased at any time during the open house.
You may view the same exhibits as were presented at the public meeting HERE.
Open comment period: Sept. 28 through Oct. 13
Comments were submitted using an online form that was hosted on this, by email, or by mail. All comments must be received or postmarked by Oct. 13.
Input was especially important about the timing of the planned 45-day closure of the roadway for the project. The closure window had not yet been determined and the project team welcomed and is now analyzing and considering all input from stakeholders about that issue and other aspects of the project. (Updated April 9, 2024)
After a public open house and two-week comment period, the design team gathered to analyze comments and look at ways to mitigate the concerns of citizens and local stakeholders, while keeping the original project goals, budget and timeline in mind.
The adjustments to the project will keep Route 19 open during the majority of construction, build the new bridge alongside the old bridge, and realign a curvature in the roadway. The only closures of Route 19 may be short-term and would only be needed during the stage when the new bridge is tied into Route 19. However, closures may not be necessary if that work is able to be done under traffic control.
The project is currently scheduled to be part of MoDOT's May 2024 letting when contractors may submit competitive bids. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may award the contract as part of their June 2024 meeting and, if the contract is awarded, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.
At this time, construction dates are not known, however if the contract is awarded at the June Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting, the project must be completed by May 1, 2025. The revised plan is for Route 19 to remain open through the majority of construction. The new bridge will be constructed alongside the old bridge in three phases:
Normal traffic conditions:
- Phase 1: Construct bridge and roadway alongside existing Route 19 with traffic under normal conditions.
Temporary traffic signals in place for two-way traffic narrowed to one lane.
- Phase 2: Construct northbound lane of Route 19 and tie in new roadway to current Route 19.
- Phase 3: Construct southbound lane of Route 19. Removal of existing bridge.
March 2024 Updated Project Information
Photos of the Standing Rock Creek Bridge from 2022 inspections
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is MoDOT replacing the Standing Rock Creek Bridge?
The 100-year-old bridge is in poor condition. Built in 1924, the bridge does not meet current standards. The new longer, wider bridge will be a prestressed concrete girder bridge without the overhead truss that currently limits the passage of larger agricultural and commercial equipment over the span.
What improvements are planned?
The existing truss bridge is 100 feet long and 20 feet wide. The new bridge will be 10 feet longer and 6 feet wider.
Constructed with prestressed concrete girders instead of a truss, the new bridge will better accommodate larger agricultural and commercial equipment.
In addition, by building the new bridge alongside the exiting one, the alignment will be shifted slightly, allowing for a curve correction in the roadway.
Is MoDOT closing the roadway during construction?
No.
The current design does not require a total road closure. Originally, the bridge replacement was designed to be constructed while the roadway was closed up to 45 days. However, after public input during the vital open comment period Sept. 28 - Oct. 13, 2023, the design team adjusted the project so the new bridge will be constructed alongside the old bridge, leaving Route 19 open for the majority, if not all, of construction.
When the new bridge is tied into Route 19, the road will be narrowed to one lane with two-way traffic controlled by temporary signals.
How will traffic be impacted?
Traffic will remain under normal conditions during the majority of construction.
Phase 1 will be constructed under normal traffic conditions. The new bridge and roadway will be constructed alongside the existing bridge. This work-day study has estimated this phase will take approximately 93 calendar days to complete.
Phases 2 and 3 will be constructed with traffic narrowed to one lane, two-way traffic, controlled by temporary signals.
- Phase 2: Construction of northbound lane of Route 19 and tie in the new roadway alignment to the current Route 19. The study estimates Phase 2 will take approximately 15 calendar days to complete.
- Phase 3: Construct southbound lane of Route 19 and removal of the existing bridge. The study estimates Phase 3 will take approximately 39 calendar days to complete.
When will construction begin?
At this time, the exact schedule for construction is not known (April 2024). The project is expected to be part of MoDOT's May 2024 letting when contractors may submit competitive bids.
If a contract is awarded at the June meeting of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, the project must be complete by May 1, 2025, however the exact schedule has not yet been determined.
Will MoDOT have to acquire any additional right of way for the project?
At this time, MoDOT anticipates the acquisition of right of way along the east side of the corridor.
UPDATE, March 2024: All necessary right of way has been acquired for the project.
Am I able to view the exhibits that were presented at the Sept. 28, 2023, public meeting?
Yes. All exhibits may be viewed HERE.
What if I have further questions?
Questions about the project may be directed to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or by phone at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference the Dent County Route 19 project over Standing Rock Creek.
How can I stay updated on the projects progress?
Use the form below to sign up for project-specific updates. As the project moves into the construction phase and a schedule is known, updates will be provided on MoDOT's Central District on social media.