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The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to replace the bridge over Penny Slu on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County and rehabilitate the bridge over Interstate 29 on US. Route 159.
Project Progress
MoDOT has contracted with Benesch for the design work to replace the current bridge over Penny Slu and rehabilitate the overpass over Interstate 29, both on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County. At this time, no additional right of way will need to be acquired for either project.
The project was a part of MoDOT's May 2019 letting, when the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the contract to Boone Construction Company .
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the contract at their June 2019 meeting to Boone Construction Company in the amount of $2,213,516.42.
July 2019 was the notice to proceed date for the contractor, however 2019 flooding that impacted most of Northwest Missouri delayed the start of construction on the Penny Slu Bridge west of Route 111 near Fortescue.
Contractors finished work on the U.S. Route 159 bridge over I-29 on June 17, 2020 and reopened the bridge to traffic.
Work began begin on the Penny Slu Bridge, near Fortescue, on June 8 and crews reopened the bridge to traffic on Aug. 18.
All work is weather permitting and subject to change.
Originally, by contract, the contractor was to have all work completed on or before Nov. 26, 2019. The 2019 flooding that impacted most of Northwest Missouri has delayed the start of construction on this bridge and therefore the completion date is now expected at the end of May 2020.
Photos of current Penny Slu and Interstate 29 Bridges
Interstate 29 overpass on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County, underside, as taken in 2018.
Interstate 29 overpass on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County side view as taken in 2018.
Holt US Route 159 overpass over I-29 taken in 2018
The deck of the bridge on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County over Penny Slu. Photo taken in 2017.
The underside of the Penny Slu Bridge on Holt County US Route 159. Photo taken 2017.
Current Penny Slu Bridge
- Structurally Deficient
- Built in 1970
- Length: 110 feet
- Width: 34 feet, curb to curb
Proposed New Penny Slu Bridge
- Meets current standards
- Will be constructed along the same alignment as the current bridge
- Length: 115 feet
- Width: 34 feet, curb to curb. The bridge will have two 12-foot lanes and a 5-foot shoulder.
Project News
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Holt County U.S. Route 159 interstate overpass now open
MOUND CITY, Mo. – The Holt County U.S. Route 159 bridge over Interstate 29 (Exit 79) near Mound City is now open. Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, began a project to replace the bridge...
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Holt County U.S. Route 159 bridge replacement to begin soon
MOUND CITY, Mo. – Work is scheduled to begin soon on another bridge on U.S. Route 159 in Holt County. Contractors from Boone Construction Co. expect to begin a project to replace the Penny Slu Bridge, west of Route 111 near Fortescue, on Monday, June...
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NOW OPEN: Interstate 29 at U.S. Route 159 in Holt County
MOUND CITY, Mo. – Crews have reopened Interstate 29 at U.S. Route 159 (Exit 79) near Mound City. Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, closed the interstate on Monday, March 30, in order to...
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UPDATE: Interstate 29 to close at U.S. Route 159 in Holt County next week
MOUND CITY, Mo. – Crews will once again be closing Interstate 29 at U.S. Route 159 (Exit 79) near Mound City for a bridge replacement project. Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will set...
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Reminder: Interstate 29 to close at U.S. Route 159 in Holt County tomorrow
MOUND CITY, Mo. – The demolition of the U.S. Route 159 over Interstate 29 (Exit 79) near Mound City is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 26. Contractors from Boone Construction Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation...
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is MoDOT closing the road during construction?
A. Closing the road during the bridge replacement and bridge redeck saves taxpayer money by allowing the contractor to work more efficiently. This will result in a shorter construction period.
Q. How long will the road be closed?
A. The exact length of the closure has not been determined, but the contractor has 104 calendar days to complete the bridge over I-29 and 76 days to complete the Penny Slu Bridge.
Q. What is the detour?
A. A signed detour during the closure of the Penny Slu bridge is planned over Route 111, Route 118 and Interstate 29.
The Interstate 29 overpass will also be closed during construction. All ramps will remain open for the majority of construction. Traffic on US Route 159 will be detoured over US Route 59 and Route 111.
Q. Why not build a bypass for Penny Slu?
A. Based on the cost/benefit ration, building a bypass would not be a prudent use of taxpayer funds. A bypass also could have negative impacts and disruption to private property.
Q. Will you have to acquire any right of way?
A. At this time, no additional right of way will be needed.
Q. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A. Questions about the project may be directed to Customer Service by calling 1-888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636
) or by emailing nwcr@modot.mo.gov. Or you may ask a question using the form below.
Q. How can I stay updated on the project's progress?
A. Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
For more information about this or other MoDOT projects, please contact our 24-hour Customer Service line at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or sign up for alerts straight to your inbox at email/text updates.