MACON – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract to E & C Bridge, of California, Missouri, for a bridge replacement on Missouri Route 161. The project will be the bridge at Smith Branch, located 3.4 miles south of Missouri Route 19 near Danville. The total cost of the project is approximately $782,561.
"The current bridge is 86 years old,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Erik Maninga. “With significant deterioration occurring over the years, and for the safety of motorists, the time to replace it has arrived,” he added.
The contractor has 100 calendar days to complete the project. The work could begin as early as late summer or fall. The new bridge will 28 feet wide feet wide, which is 8 feet wider than the existing one. The road will be closed during construction.
“We will be able to provide a more specific schedule on this bridge project after the contractor provides the plan for completing the work,” said Maninga.
This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.
For more information on this and other projects in your area, you can visit us online at www.modot.mo.gov/northeast, or call our customer service number at 1-888 ASK MoDOT (275-6636).
Spring is here and highway work zones are beginning to pop up in Missouri. Barrel Bob, MoDOT’s official work zone spokesbarrel, says as you approach a work zone, please don’t drive distracted. Always buckle up and put your phone down for your safety and the safety of highway workers. All work zones are online at www.modot.org, and you can receive the latest news about road work in your area by signing up for e-updates.