HANNIBAL - An exponential amount of rainfall in a short time created flooding along several roads and bridges in northeast Missouri. Due to damage on the approach to the Little Mussel Fork bridge, Missouri Route 11 has been closed and could remain closed at least a few weeks.
"After the water went down, we inspected the damage to the roadway and the bridge, determining the need to fill the undermined pavement," said Missouri Department of Transportation Maintenance and Traffic Engineer Jennifer Hinson. "At that time, we will also replace the rotten timber backwall so we can stabilize the approach and the rock protecting the bridge piers," she added.
The road is closed at the bridge, which is located about 15 miles southwest of Kirksville. It was built in 1931 and is not in the statewide transportation plan for replacement at this time.
Unofficially, this area received about 8" of rain in the last 24 hours.
The picture attached shows the bridge damage and is a good depiction of why it is dangerous to drive through flooded roads.
All flooded and closed roads are identifed with a "flood" icon on MoDOT's online traveler map at www.modot.org.