FRANKLIN COUNTY – Construction that was slated to begin on Monday, March 28 to rehabilitate and redeck bridges over Interstate 44 on Routes 47 and 30 in St. Clair, MO and replace pavement on all four ramps at the Route 47 interchange has been rescheduled. The project will proceed in three phases, starting Wednesday, April 6.
During phase 1, crews will replace the bridge deck on the west side of Route 47. Traffic will be reduced from two through lanes down to one in each direction at the I-44 intersection. The entrance ramp to westbound I-44 will remain closed for the duration of phase 1. Right turns will be allowed at all three remaining ramps. Left turns will be restricted at all ramp locations. The duration of stage 1 is estimated from April to mid-June. Detour signs will be in place directing traffic to use Route 30 as an alternate route.
Motorists are to be aware that from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Friday to Sunday, April 8-10, Route 47 will be closed. Through traffic on Route 47 will be detoured to Route 30 to allow for bridge demolition over the interstate. I-44 traffic will be detoured up and over the ramps from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. each night during the demolition.
The second phase of the project, scheduled for mid-June through mid-September, will replace the bridge deck on the east side of the Route 47 bridge. At this time, the entrance ramp to eastbound I-44 will require full closure. Right turns will be allowed at all three remaining ramps. During this phase, full closure of all ramps will be required to replace the deteriorated concrete pavement on the ramps. Closure time periods will be provided at a later date.
Phase three of the project, scheduled for mid-September to mid-November, will replace the bridge deck on Route 30 over I-44. This will require full closure of Route 30 and traffic will be detoured to Route 47. Contractors have 66 calendar days to complete this phase of the project.
To encourage completion of the project ahead of schedule and to minimize impacts to the St. Clair community and local business, MoDOT has offered its contractor an incentive opportunity to reduce the construction time frame needed to replace the Route 47 bridge. The contract completion date for the Route 47 bridge and ramp work is Nov. 1. MoDOT is offering an incentive to the contractor of $7000 per day for each day the project is finished prior to Labor Day.
The project also includes pavement replacement on the ramps which will require a full closure of the ramp for construction. The ramp replacement will occur during the second phase of the bridge deck replacement. MoDOT is also offering an additional incentive of $2300 per day, per ramp for each day the ramp can be restored to allow right turn access for every day less than a 30-day closure timeframe.
For additional information on this project and to view detailed maps of roadway detours, visit https://www.modot.org/routes-30-47-bridge-and-ramp-improvements.
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