Districts Impacted
Project Milestones
After an inspection nearly two years ago, and additional evaluation, designers have determined the extent of the maintenance needed for the I-255 bridge over the Mississippi. They determined the work to be completed and the necessary work to shift traffic to the opposite bridge while construction is underway. This should be complete in fall 2021.
Once the final design is determined, the contract has been put out for bid and the qualified contractor with the lowest bid selected, the project will start in early 2022.
The eastbound I-255 bridge across the Mississippi River (into Illinois)will be closed and two lanes of traffic shifted to the westbound bridge. Two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction through the year. This is expected to start in spring 2022.
Traffic will be restored to its normal condition between fall 2022 and spring 2023. This will allow traffic to move normally during wintry weather.
The westbound I-255 bridge across the Mississippi River (into Missouri) will be closed and two lanes of traffic shifted to the eastbound bridge. Two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction through the year. This will most likely take place in spring 2023.
Traffic will be restored to its normal condition in fall 2023.
The project is complete.
What is the problem?
The Interstate 255 Mississippi River Bridge (the Jefferson Barracks Bridge) is scheduled for significant rehabilitation in 2022. This will help ensure that the bridge remains serviceable and in good condition for the foreseeable future. This project has been on scheduled for several years, but the intended rehabilitations were upgraded after inspectors noticed issues that concerned them during a routine inspection about two years ago. Crews addressed those issues at the time, ensuring that the bridge remained safe to use.
During the work on the Jefferson Barracks bridge, crews will also rehabilitate the I-255 bridge over Koch Road. This will take advantage of the lane closures required for the Jefferson Barracks work to make needed repairs to bridge over Koch Road to ensure it remains serviceable and in good condition.
What are the expected impacts?
All work is going to require narrowed and shifted lanes. One lane will be closed in each direction around the clock, and the remaining lanes will be narrowed. This will keep two lanes open in each direction across the bridge, separated by concrete barrier wall. Crews will close one bridge at a time to work on it, most likely starting with the eastbound bridge (into Illinois) and will shift the traffic from that bridge to the other bridge. Drivers may want to consider using other crossings (to include the I-64 and MLK crossings) and Interstate 55 during this work to avoid congestion. Koch Road may be reduced by one lane in each direction so crews can work on the bridge.
While the eastbound I-255 bridge (into Illinois) is closed, the ramp from Koch Road to eastbound I-255 will be closed. To detour, traffic will take westbound I-255 to Telegraph Road and get back onto eastbound I-255. While the westbound I-255 bridge (into Missouri) is closed, the ramp from westbound I-255 to Koch Road will also be closed. Detouring traffic will continue on I-255 to Telegraph Road, where they will get back on eastbound I-255 and exit at Koch Road.
During the bridge work at Koch Road, there may be times when Koch Road is closed during overnight hours for overhead work, such as girder placement.
What are the expected detours?
Although there are no expected full closures of the interstate during the project, drivers may want to consider alternate routes during the work, as congestion levels at the bridge are expected to be high during construction.
While the eastbound I-255 bridge (into Illinois) is closed, the ramp from Koch Road to eastbound I-255 will be closed. To detour, traffic will take westbound I-255 to Telegraph Road and get back onto eastbound I-255. While the westbound I-255 bridge (into Missouri) is closed, the ramp from westbound I-255 to Koch Road will also be closed. Detouring traffic will continue on I-255 to Telegraph Road, where they will get back on eastbound I-255 and exit at Koch Road.
When will the project start?
Work is expected to start in spring 2022. Work should be complete by the end of 2023.
Media gallery -
Crews move scaffolding for the eastbound I-255 bridge over the Mississippi River (the Jefferson Barracks bridge). The scaffolding helps protect them while removing existing paint from the structure and for future bridge painting. For more photos, please visit the following flickr link.
A map of the bridge and ramp closures anticipated for the eastbound I-255 bridge over the Mississippi River (into Illinois). For a larger, pdf version, please click here.
The is the anticipated closure map for work on the westbound (into Missouri) I-255 bridge across the Mississippi River (the Jefferson Barracks bridge). For a larger, pdf version, please click here.
What is the timeline?
|
Design complete |
Fall 2021 |
|
Project start |
Spring 2022 |
|
Eastbound I-255 Bridge (into Illinois) closes |
Spring 2022 |
|
Eastbound I-255 Bridge opens |
Late fall 2022 |
|
Westbound I-255 Bridge (into Missouri) closes |
Spring 2023 |
| Westbound I-255 Bridge reopens |
Late fall 2023 |
|
Construction complete |
Late fall 2023 |