JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The project to rehabilitate the nearly 60-year-old bridge on Phelps County Route D over Interstate 44, near Jerome, was originally scheduled to reopen at the end of October. However, during construction, the contractor found unexpected deterioration. Engineers with the Missouri Department of Transportation evaluated the bridge and, in order to provide a long-lasting structure that will serve the community and travelers for years to come, the contractor was directed to complete additional, extensive repairs. This work extended the original timeline for reopening the bridge.
Those repairs are now complete, and a new wearing surface (driving surface) was placed on the bridge deck last Wednesday morning. There are some final pieces such as barrier wall, guardrail and striping to complete and the contractor now expects to reopen the roadway in mid-January 2026.
This multi-bridge project also includes:
- Pulaski County Route 28 over I-44 – COMPLETED.
- Phelps County Route E in Rolla – for sidewalk removal in spring 2026 (delayed due to additional repairs at Route D). Northbound Route E over I-44 will close and traffic will be redirected via a signed detour over eastbound I-44 to Exit 18t, north on U.S. Route 63, then back westbound on I-44 to Exit 185 at Route E. At this time, southbound Route E over I-44 is expected to remain open during construction.
- Phelps County Road 8490 (Sugar Tree Road) 3 miles west of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation, date to be determined.
- Phelps County Route J 10 miles southwest of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation, date to be determined.
- Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Kingshighway in Rolla – expected to narrow to one lane, date to be determined. One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained across the bridge through construction. Westbound traffic will detour to eastbound I-44 to Exit 183 (U.S. Route 63), then cross the interstate and return westbound to Exit 184.
The entire project is expected to be complete by the end of September 2026. All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $3,948,366.99 contract for this multi-bridge project to Concrete Strategies, LLC at their April 2025 meeting. For more information, visit the websites for these projects. While there, sign up for project-specific email updates:
MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.
For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/ or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media:
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