The Route J/M bridge over U.S. Route 50/63 near Taos will close at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, June 2 so the 43-year-old bridge can be replaced.
The first step in replacing the Route J/M bridge will be to remove the existing bridge. That work will start at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 2 and should be completed by 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.
During this time, the traffic from Routes J and M will not have access to the Route 50/63 ramps. The traffic on Route 50/63 will be reduced to one lane and will be directed up and over the ramps to bypass the bridge removal work. Changeable message signs and detours are in place to advise travelers of the work.
Once the bridge has been removed, Route 50/63 traffic will be returned to its normal lanes and the ramps will be re-opened to Route J and M traffic. Again, that should occur by 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.
The following signed detour routes will be in effect for the Route J/M traffic once the ramps are re-opened:
- Northbound traffic on Route M will access westbound Route 50/63 and Route J by taking eastbound Route 50/63 to Lisletown Road and accessing westbound Route 50/63.
- Southbound traffic on Route J will access eastbound Route 50/63 and Route M by taking westbound Route 50/63 to Militia Drive and accessing eastbound Route 50/63.
This traffic pattern will stay in effect for the duration of the project except for one weekend when Route 50/63 will need to be closed to erect the bridge girders. The Missouri Department of Transportation will provide more information about this closure once this weekend work has been scheduled.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic in mid-August.
For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), visit www.modot.org/central, or follow the Central District Facebook page at facebook.com/MoDOTCentralMissouriDistrict.
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