ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A project to replace the 88-year-old Lewis Creek Bridge on Linn County Route 139, approximately 1 mile north of Meadville, will begin soon. This is the third bridge to be replaced under the Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) Bridge Program.
The bridge, which carries approximately 265 vehicles per day, is scheduled to close Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, and will remain closed through May 2022. During the closure, motorists must seek an alternate route.
Four bridges in Linn County are included in the FARM Bridge Program, including the Smokey Branch Bridge on Linn County Route B, which was recently replaced. The full list of bridges to be replaced can be found on the FARM Bridge Program web page.
“We have 31 weight-restricted, poor condition bridges in northern Missouri to replace under this federally-funded program,” stated Missouri Department of Transportation Project Director Jeff Gander.
Lehman-Wilson was awarded the design-build contract by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission at its meeting in May 2021 to replace the bridges. All bridges in the program are expected to be closed during construction.
The project will replace deficient bridges on low-volume routes that are:
- Weight-restricted
- In poor condition
- On timber pile
- One-lane but carry two-way traffic
“The MoDOT team has worked closely with the contractor to develop plans for these improvements, and by October 2023, all 31 bridges will be replaced,” Gander noted. “We understand closing a road can be challenging, yet it’s the best use of our tax dollars, is safer for all the workers, and it speeds up construction.”
Design-build is a project delivery method in which one contracting team is selected to design and build the highway improvement under one contract. MoDOT provides the project goals, budget and schedule and the contractor team completes the work. This technique has been known to significantly save time and provide cost savings.
“Signs will be placed on these roads several days before each closure, and we encourage residents in these areas to sign up to receive our email and text alerts,” Gander said.
MoDOT will continue to send information and updates to local media for their distribution. MoDOT’s online traveler map also shows locations of work zones and road closures.
MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.
While at modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or via social media.
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