Districts Impacted
Timeline
The MoDOT team will work through a study to determine the appropriate way to complete this work, whether through the more traditional design-bid-build process or through the more innovative design-build process. Not all the bridges may be completed through the same process.
MoDOT is planning one public meeting on either side of the corridor -- the locations are yet to be determined -- to gather information about possible concerns and to talk through the possible ways that the bridge work may be completed.
Once information is gathered, MoDOT will hold a second public meeting -- again, holding one on each side of the corridor -- to share the potential work and proposed staging for the work.
MoDOT will evaluate the best way to award the work for these projects and will share that with the public. The method (design-bid-build or design-build) may determine additional milestones.
What is the current situation?
There are 32 bridges along Interstate 44 in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County that need maintenance, as well as two pedestrian crossings over the interstate.
Of those, nine bridges have reached the end of their useful life, and MoDOT is reviewing options. Seventeen bridges should receive some rehabilitation, primarily removing the driving surface (the bridge deck) and replacing it. Although with two bridges, it may be more cost effective to replace them instead of rehabilitating them. Three need preventative maintenance (mostly an overlay).
Of the 32 bridges, 18 are over Interstate 44, while 12 (five pairs of bridges and two other bridges) carry interstate 44 over another roadway. Two are ramp bridges.
Since bridges are designed to last several decades, MoDOT is analyzing how vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians use each bridge to understand what is needed at each location to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. MoDOT is particularly looking at the usage of the two pedestrian crossings to see if traffic has changed since these bridges were originally built.
During this period, the department is looking for input from the community on potential concerns or impacts due to the work on these bridges, how these bridges are used, as well as preferences for if the new bridges should look different from what is currently in place..
Why do bridges that are less than 10 years old require maintenance?
Many of the newer bridges will get preventative maintenance, typically some type of an epoxy coating that will help the bridge last longer. This work should take a few nights, or a long weekend.