HANNIBAL, MO – The Missouri Department of Transportation closed Route 149, in northwest Macon County, on July 10, 2021 following flooding that washed out a section of roadway and a large box culvert at Walnut Creek. “Since the location has been prone to flooding, and drift from wooded areas upstream has been an ongoing problem, the drainage needs were evaluated, and it was determined an actual bridge, instead of a culvert, is warranted at this location,” he explained. The district has hired a consultant engineering firm to design the new bridge, and construction is currently scheduled for the summer of 2023 at an estimated cost of almost $500,000.
“We understand this closure is a significant inconvenience for the residents and property owners in the area,” Kroner said. “With the flood damage occurring in July of 2021, the department did not have resources available, nor the needed window of time, to have bridge plans ready to meet a summer 2022 construction timeframe, resulting in the project being planned for construction in 2023,” he explained.
In addition to the bridge project, there are two projects scheduled to resurface 40 miles of MO 149 from Route 6 in Adair County to U.S. Route 36 at New Cambria. “As currently planned, by the fall of next year, MoDOT will have invested approximately 4.5 million dollars on Route 149 in Adair and Macon County,” Kroner said.
All road work can be found on MoDOT’s website at modot.org.
Taking care of potholes, culverts and other issues on state roads require MoDOT crews work alongside traffic. Please watch out for our crews, pay attention to signs and slow down in all work zones. Subscribe to our e-update service and receive notifications about where road work is occurring in your area, and you can get text alerts on road closures, too! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @MoDOT_Northeast for road updates.