JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The three-week comment period is now open for the public to provide input on rehabilitation plans for two Laclede County bridges over Interstate 44. An in-person public meeting will be held Oct. 22 as the Missouri Department of Transportation shares information and gathers community feedback about the project.
The Laclede County Route J bridge over I-44 in Conway, built in 1967, is set to have the deck replaced. To extend the life of the Dove Road bridge over I-44 in Caffeyville, built in 1978, proposed improvements include joint and deck repairs and a concrete overlay. The supporting structures of both bridges are in good condition, while the driving surfaces hasve deteriorated and require work.
Community input by commenting, questioning, and providing insight during the in-person meeting and the three-week comment period. is essential to help guide the design and construction process. Ways to get involved:
- In-person - An open-house-style public meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Laclede County R-1 Junior High/Senior High Library, located at 726 W. Jefferson Ave. in Conway. The project team will be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and receive input about the project. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come and go as they please at any time during the advertised hours.
- Online - All meeting exhibits are available on this website, and feedback may be submitted using the form below.
- By email – Send comments to CDCR@modot.mo.gov with the subject line: Bridge Rehabilitations over I-44 in Laclede County.
- By traditional mail – Comments may be mailed to Missouri Department of Transportation, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109, postmarked by Nov. 5, 2026. Please reference: Bridge Rehabilitations over I-44 in Laclede County.
More details are available about the projects here: https://www.modot.org/projects/route-j-bridge-deck-replacement-over-interstate-44-laclede-county and https://www.modot.org/projects/missouri-route-dove-road-bridge-rehabilitation-over-interstate-44-laclede-county. While there, users may sign up to receive project-specific updates.
MoDOT is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation or translation services, please contact MoDOT as soon as possible by calling 573-522-5178 or by emailing CDCR@modot.mo.gov, so arrangements can be made.
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:
Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram
Take the Challenge! Buckle Up/Phone Down
###
