Project to Build New Route 39 RR Bridge, Improve Rail Crossings,

Aurora – A project to build a new bridge over the railroad tracks at Missouri Route 39 and Carnation Avenue and improve railroad crossings to create a train “quiet zone” in Aurora is scheduled to begin the week of July 16, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Here’s a look at the project:

• New bridge will be built over BNSF railroad tracks near Carnation Drive
• Box culvert replaced at Route 39 at Chat Creek
• New railroad signals and crossing arms  will be installed on Elliot Avenue (Lawrence County Route K) between Olive Street (Route 39) and Mill Street creating a quiet zone (Once railroad crossing improvements are made, the City of Aurora will apply to the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a quiet zone which means trains will no longer sound their warning horns while traveling between Route 39 and Elliot Avenue in Aurora)
• New sidewalks will be built along the north side of Mill Street between McNatt Avenue and Elliot Avenue and along west side of Elliot Avenue between Mill Street and Olive Street
• Pedestrian crossing arms will be installed on the west side of Elliot Street on either side of the railroad tracks between Mill Street and Olive Street
• Railroad crossings will be permanently closed at Morgan Avenue and McNatt Avenue after bridge improvements are in place on Route 39
• The project is a partnership between MoDOT and BNSF Railroad.

Weather and/or scheduling issues will alter the work schedule.

Traffic impacts:

• Route 39 will remain open during construction of the bridge over BNSF railroad. A temporary bypass will be constructed near the bridge work for drivers to use during bridge construction.
• Carnation Drive will be closed south of Olive Street for the majority of the project while the Route 39 temporary bypass is constructed and in use.
• In November, Route 39 closed at Chat Creek for up to 14 days.
• Drivers will be detoured along Lawrence County Route FF and Lawrence County Route K.

Project background

• Prime contractor: Hartman & Company Inc., Springfield
• Completion date: February 28, 2019
• Construction costs: $6.7 million

(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest)

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