MOUND CITY, Mo. – Two bridges along U.S. Route 159 are scheduled for improvements as part of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP outlines MoDOT’s plans for projects over a five-year span across the state.
Contractors from Boone Construction Co. were awarded a contract to place a new bridge deck on the bridge over Interstate 29 near Mound City on U.S. Route 159 (Exit 79) and to replace the U.S. Route 159 bridge over Penny Slough west of Route 111 near Fortescue. These two bridges were not damaged by the flooding that began in March this year, but the high water has affected the ability of contractors to begin work.
The redeck of the I-29 overpass will get underway first. The contractor plans to begin work Feb. 17, 2020, when they will close U.S. Route 159 at the bridge to all traffic. That closure will extend through the end of May 2020.
Traffic on I-29 will also be impacted Feb. 17 – 21 with the closure of all lanes of the interstate. For safety during the removal of the old bridge deck, no traffic will be allowed under the bridge. Both directions of interstate traffic will be directed up and over the ramps at U.S. Route 159. Motorists can expect delays.
Throughout the project, there will be intermittent lane closures on I-29 in both directions. Drivers are urged to pay attention to all construction signs and barricades.
The bridge replacement project on U.S. Route 159 over Penny Slu is planned to begin in June. More information on that project and its impacts to travelers will be published at a later date.
As with all construction, work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change.
For more information about this and other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636
) or visit 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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