SIKESTON – Construction to replace the Route B bridge over Interstate 57 in Mississippi County is underway. The bridge is located near Bertrand, Missouri. In addition to the bridge replacement, roundabouts will be constructed on either side of the bridge.
Route B over I-57 is currently closed at the bridge location. This closure will remain in place throughout construction.
Motorists should also anticipate impacts to I-57. Northbound and southbound I-57 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for duration of the project.
Beginning Monday, April 3, I-57 will be closed in the vicinity of the bridge as the beams and deck panels are installed. During this time, traffic will be diverted onto the interchange ramps to navigate around the closure on I-57. This impact to I-57 will be in place for the entire week of April 3.
The new bridge will raise the vertical clearance for I-57 traffic from 15 feet to over 16 feet. This will better accommodate loads passing under the bridge and will bring the bridge to current interstate standards. Route B must be raised to increase the vertical clearance.
To raise Route B, roundabouts will be built at the top of the interchange ramps to help traffic to flow efficiently and in an effort to improve sight distance for motorists turning onto Route B. The roundabouts offer benefits at this specific location and are a more cost-effective approach than reconstructing the ramps farther from the bridge.
The roundabouts will accommodate tractor trailers and farming equipment.
Completion of the project is anticipated in summer 2023.
The bridge is included in the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project, which will improve 17 bridges throughout Southeast Missouri. Completion of the Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project is anticipated on or before Dec. 31, 2023. The design-build project website is available at https://www.modot.org/bootheel-bridge-bundle.
This bridge is also included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, please contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or Travis Slayton, project manager for the Robertson Contractors Team, at (573) 785-0880.
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