ST. LOUIS – MoDOT has determined an updated schedule to complete construction on the eastbound I-44 bridge over the BNSF railroad near Shrewsbury.
In November, the department suspended construction on the bridge to analyze a concern with the greater than usual cracking on the westbound I-44 bridge in the same area. Although the bridge is safe, the greater than usual cracking will limit the useful life of the bridge.
Earlier this month, the department received the complex report analyzing the westbound bridge. The report states that the bridge, as designed, was not able to appropriately handle the thermal expansion forces – the forces when bridges expand and contract due to heating and cooling. The bridge deck was placed in fall 2017, and the cracking got progressively worse as the temperatures warmed up through spring and summer 2018.
“After we and the contractor were able to review the report and the supporting data, we were able to determine an updated schedule for the project,” said Tom Blair, MoDOT St. Louis District Engineer.
Currently, the contractor team is working on an updated design to address the original bridge deficiencies. That design should be completed and reviewed by the end of March. Then crews will be able to complete construction of the eastbound bridge. That is projected to take until mid-summer.
Once the eastbound bridge is complete and reopened to traffic, crews will work on making needed repairs to the westbound bridge. That work is projected to be complete by mid-fall. The westbound bridge remains safe to use.
“We will continue to work with our contractor to quickly resolve all of the design and construction issues on this project. Everyone understands the urgency of the traffic situation. The contractor team is committed to providing the resources necessary to correct any deficiencies and to timely complete the project. MoDOT will work closely with them to expedite the bridge work and get traffic back on eastbound I-44,” said Blair.