ST. JOSEPH – The recent rise in flood water has delayed or put on hold several flood recovery projects across Northwest Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation has awarded several contracts, with more contracts planned, for significant roadway and shoulder repairs and bridge reconstruction in order to restore mobility to routes as waters recede. Local maintenance crews are clearing debris and repairing shoulders and minor road surface issues as they are able.
Below are updates on several routes where floodwaters have receded and some where the water has risen again:
U.S. Route 136 in Atchison County, including the Missouri River Crossing to Brownville, NE:
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- Opening soon! – Weather will play a big factor, but the roadway could reopen to traffic by the end of this week, at the earliest.
- Roadway between the bridge near Phelps City and the Missouri River –The contractor is working on shoulder rock and slope work.
- Bridge near Phelps City – The contractor is continuing repair work to the bridge approaches. The concrete at the bridge approaches needs time to cure which allows it to reach its maximum strength.
- Brownville Bridge – At this time, no damage is evident to the Brownville Bridge.
U.S. Route 159 in Holt County, including the Missouri River Crossing to Rulo, NE:
- Roadway between Route 111 and the Missouri River – The contractor had completed work and reopened the roadway to all traffic. Unfortunately, floodwaters rose and are covering parts of the roadway again. Some shoulder scour has been seen, but further roadway damage from this episode of flooding is unknown. Due to the damage of the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge near Fortescue, once U.S. Route 159 is reopened a signed detour route will be in place to move traffic between Nebraska and I-29. This detour route will be east on U.S. Route 159 across the Rulo bridge to Route 111, north on Route 111 to Route 118, then east on Route 118 to Interstate 29.
- Little Tarkio Creek Bridge near Fortescue – The bridge is a complete loss and will need to be replaced. The project was part of the June 2019 letting and awarded to Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. for an amount of $2,531,629.95. The contractor plans to begin work as soon as floodwaters recede. Some work can only take place above certain temperatures, however, so the bridge could possibly remain closed through the winter.
- Penny Slough Bridge replacement east of Fortescue – The project is part of the state’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and was part of the May 2019 letting. A contract in the amount of $2,213,516.42 was awarded to Boone Construction Co. The contractor plans to begin work as soon as floodwaters recede. Some work can only take place above certain temperatures, however, so the bridge could possibly remain closed through the winter.
Route T in Holt County:
- Roadway – A large slide formed on a section of roadway near Mill Bluff Road. The slide is more involved than originally thought and the roadway had to be closed. While the slide may look like a simple fix, the severity must be determined, and a solution implemented before the road can be reopened for the safety of motorists. Currently, MoDOT is working with consultants to complete a geotechnical analysis and develop plans for a repair project that is scheduled for a March 2020 letting.
U.S. Route 65 in Carroll County south of Carrollton to Waverly, Missouri:
- Roadway – After reopening to traffic, the latest rise in floodwater has once again covered the roadway approximately 5 miles south of Carrollton and continues to the Missouri River near Waverly. Damage to the road and shoulders cannot be assessed until the water recedes.
Route 41 in Carroll County
- Opening Soon! – If the weather permits, the roadway could reopen to two-way traffic by the end of this week.
- Roadway – Currently open to one lane of traffic with signals to directing motorists through the damaged area. The contractor is currently wrapping up repairs and will be able to reopen the road to two-way traffic soon. Until that time, the road will remain a one-lane roadway.
For the most up-to-date information on this flooding event, visit:
- www.traveler.modot.org/map
- Download MoDOT’s smartphone app
- www.modot.org/2019-northwest-missouri-flooding
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