ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A bridge rehabilitation project on the Missouri River Bridge has narrowed traffic to a 12-foot wide lane in each direction. The project is expected to continue through November 2022. The narrow lanes have presented a problem to businesses and large equipment operators needing to move wide loads across the bridge. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and River Bend Ag Services, LLC of Wathena have worked together on a solution.
Any parties needing to move a load wider than 12 feet across the Missouri River Bridge on U.S. Route 36 should contact MSHP (816-387-2345) or Zach Emmendorfer at River Bend Ag Services (785-989-2128). Mr. Emmendorfer will work with the Patrol to coordinate movement of these wide vehicles in the early morning hours, one to two days per week, as needed.
The project has two phases and large equipment movement will occur differently in each phase, as follows. Dates are approximate.
During Phase One (Now through July 18):
- Regular eastbound traffic will not be affected
- Regular westbound traffic will be stopped
- Oversize loads will move eastbound in the westbound lane
During Phase Two (July 18 through Dec. 1):
- Regular westbound traffic will not be affected
- Regular eastbound traffic will be stopped
- Oversize loads will move westbound in the eastbound lane
This may cause delays for other vehicles using the Missouri River Bridge, however, MoDOT and MSHP are committed to working with local businesses, the agriculture industry and freight traffic to keep commerce flowing across this vital highway.
During this bridge rehabilitation project, loads wider than 12-feet will only be moved across the bridge under the direction of MSHP.
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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