PLEASE SEE UPDATED INFORMATION BELOW IN BOLD:
HANNIBAL – Progress continues on the bridge replacement project on U.S. Route 61 at the Cuivre River near Troy in Lincoln County. As the next phase begins, travelers using Watson Road near Troy will soon see changes in the route of traffic flow with the closure of the U.S. 61 median crossover at this location scheduled for June 1. This temporary closure includes a signed detour and is expected to remain in place for 75 days.
Work on the bridges is coming to a conclusion and crews are moving on to roadway construction, including additional construction of the roadway embankments in preparation for paving. Staged reconstruction of Route 61, along with sideroad approaches and the median crossover itself, will require the closure of the crossover as the roadway elevation is being raised to accommodate higher flood events and the roadways are being realigned toward the new bridges.
As part of the detour, motorists exiting Watson Road needing to travel south on U.S. 61 will initially turn north on U.S. 61 and take the Creech Lane exit to get on the signed detour over Old U.S. Hwy 61 and Route KK coming back onto U.S. 61. Raised rumble strips and additional signage are also being placed on Route KK near the U.S. 61 intersection to aid in alerting motorists and improve safety at this location. Southbound traffic on U.S. 61 wanting to turn onto Watson Road will continue south on U.S. 61 and utilize the Missouri Route 47 interchange for U-turn movement onto U.S. 61 northbound to access the Watson Road entrance.
The contract to replace the bridges on U.S. Route 61 over the Cuivre River, along with making intersection improvements on Route KK just north of the bridges, was awarded by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to KCI Construction Company for $14,595,000. The intersection improvements at Route KK, which were completed last fall, included an offset left turn lane on northbound U.S. 61, and an acceleration lane onto southbound U.S. 61.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and attention to safety throughout this project,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Erik Maninga. “Although the project is progressing on schedule, we still have several months left before completion. We ask that you continue to buckle up and eliminate distractions for your safety and that of other motorists and workers as well,“ he added.
Spring is here and work zones are popping up. Before you travel, check out MoDOT’s online traveler information map at www.modot.org. Never drive impaired and make sure everyone in the car is buckled up. Please put your phone down to avoid distractions. For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org to receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.