JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Contractors have postponed the restart of rehabilitation work on several bridges over Interstate 44 in Phelps County due to this week’s weather forecast. The Route D bridge over I-44, approximately 7 miles southwest of Doolittle, is now scheduled to close Thursday, March 12, to complete the rehabilitation work that began in late 2025. Depending on weather and construction progress, the bridge could reopen as early as Friday evening, March 13. If the bridge does not open Friday evening, it could remain closed through the weekend and reopen early next week.
As early as Monday, March 16, following the reopening of Route D, the bridge on Phelps County Route 8490 (Sugar Tree Road) over I-44 will close for eight weeks, through mid-May, for bridge rehabilitation.
The bridge on Phelps County Business 44/Missouri Route 72/Kingshighway in Rolla is also scheduled for work beginning in late March, continuing through mid-June. The bridge will close to westbound traffic, but one eastbound lane will be maintained throughout construction.
During work on these three bridges, all ramps are expected to remain open and signed detours will be in place.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $3,948,366.99 contract for this multi-bridge project to Concrete Strategies, LLC. For more information, visit the websites for these projects. While there, sign up for project-specific email updates:
- Route D, Route E, Route J, County Road 8490, and Kingshighway Bridge Rehabilitation over Interstate 44 in Phelps County | Missouri Department of Transportation
- Missouri Route 28 Bridge Rehabilitation over Interstate 44 in Pulaski County | Missouri Department of Transportation
A start date has not yet been set for the two remaining bridges in the bundle: Phelps County Routes E and J. The rehabilitation of the Missouri Route 28 bridge over I-44 in St. Robert (Pulaski County) is also part of this bundle of work and was completed in 2025.
Work on all bridges in the project is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026. That date could be extended, if unexpected deterioration is discovered during the work, as happened at the Route D bridge, or due to inclement weather.
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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