Districts Impacted
The Laclede County Route J bridge over I-44 in Conway is slated for rehabilitation work in 2027. Built in 1967, the supporting structure is in good condition, but the driving surface has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.
The proposed plans call for closing Route J with a signed detour throughout construction.
Current bridge facts at a glance
| Built: | Deck width: | Bridge length: | Average daily traffic: |
| 1967 | 30 feet | 191 feet | 3,968 vehicles |
PUBLIC MEETING
An in-person public meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Laclede County R-1 Junior High/Senior High Library from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and receive direct feedback on construction staging and answer questions from the community. There will be no formal presentation, so members of the public can come and go as they please. By participating and commenting, the public can help MoDOT determine what best serves the needs of the roughly 4,000 motorists who use the bridge on an average day while being responsible stewards of available funding.
Meeting Materials
PROJECT PROGRESS
The Missouri Department of Transportation is in the process of designing a new bridge deck. The plans for the new deck, which will be the same width as the existing structure, include installing new guardrail.
This project is not expected to require any new right-of-way acquisition.
The estimated total cost (engineering and construction) for this project is $1.2 million. This cost may change.
During the three-week comment period running Oct. 15 – Nov. 5, 2026, the community and interested parties will have multiple avenues to learn about, ask questions, and submit input regarding the planned work and associated traffic impacts.
- 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 West Jefferson Avenue 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 will be 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: Route J Bridge Deck Replacement 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: Route J Bridge Deck Replacement over I-44 in Laclede County.
The project is currently scheduled to be part of MoDOT's February 2027 letting when contractors may submit competitive bids. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may award the contract as part of their March 2027 meeting and, if the contract is awarded, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.
Construction is expected to take place in 2027.
The current plan is to close Route J for approximately two months. The Exit 113 ramps are expected to remain open throughout construction.
A signed detour will direct eastbound motorists to use eastbound I-44 to the Laclede County Routes A/C interchange at Exit 118 to access westbound I-44 and for westbound motorists to use westbound I-44 to the Sparkle Brook Road/Sampson Road interchange at Exit 107 to access eastbound I-44.
At this time, the new bridge deck is expected to be complete by Dec. 1, 2027.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is MoDOT replacing the bridge deck?
Originally built in 1967, the supporting structures are in good condition, but the driving surface has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.
How will this bridge work affect traffic?
The current plan is to close Route J for approximately two months. The Exit 113 ramps are expected to remain open throughout construction.
A signed detour will direct eastbound motorists to use eastbound I-44 to the Laclede County Routes A/C interchange at Exit 118 to access westbound I-44 and for westbound motorists to use westbound I-44 to the Sparkle Brook Road/Sampson Road interchange at Exit 107 to access eastbound I-44.
What if I have further questions?
You may email cdcr@modot.mo.gov or call us at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference Route J Bridge Deck Replacement over I-44 in Laclede County on your inquiries.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
News & Updates
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