FAUCETT, Mo. – Just shy of its 60th birthday, the Route DD bridge over Interstate 29 in Buchanan County at Faucett (Exit 35) is being rebuilt. The bridge, built in 1958, has outlived its anticipated lifespan of 50 years and has served the neighboring communities well, but wear and tear, as well as changes to vehicles over the past 60 years, call for a new bridge to take its place.
Contractors from Emery Sapp and Sons of Columbia, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will reconstruct the ramps and replace the overpass. This work will necessitate ramp closures, interstate closures and the closure of the bridge itself. Crews have already begun hauling rock to the site and motorists are urged to use caution, as large machinery and workers will be present adjacent to the ramps and bridge.
On Friday, August 4, at approximately 7 p.m. demolition of the old structure will begin. For safety reasons, no traffic will be permitted under the bridge during demolition. Interstate traffic will be narrowed to one lane in each direction, then routed up and over the on and off ramps at the exit and around the bridge demolition.
During demolition, only through interstate traffic will be allowed on the ramps. To ensure that interstate traffic flows as smoothly as possible, no access to or from Route DD will be permitted during this portion of the project. This traffic pattern could remain in place for 24 hours or more. Motorists will experience delays and may want to consider using an alternate route.
The following Monday, August 7, the northbound on and off ramps will close for reconstruction. They should reopen on or before Monday, Aug. 21. The southbound ramps will close Monday, Sept. 11 and should reopen on or before Monday, Sept. 25. During both sets of ramp closures, at least one lane each direction on I-29 will remain open for through traffic.
The new bridge should be completed and open to all traffic by the end of October, weather permitting. During the demolition, ramp closures and bridge closure signs will be in place to direct motorists to an alternate route. Before you travel, you may want to consult our Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org to find an alternate route and avoid congestion.
As with all planned work, schedules are subject to change. MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.
For more information about this and other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636
) or visit www.modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map. In addition, MoDOT provides updated information on Twitter @MoDOTNorthwest and Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOTNWDistrict.
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