The Chester Bridge has two 11-foot lanes and carries 7,000 vehicles per day. It connects the cities of Chester, Illinois and Perryville, Missouri across the Mississippi River via Route 51. The bridge has allowed motorists to travel both east and west across the Mississippi River for nearly 80 years. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District is busy making plans for the 18th Annual Bridge Building Competition. Like last year’s competition, the ceremony will be held virtually.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to replace five bridges in New Madrid County.  Three bridges are located on Route 162 between Gideon and Portageville, Missouri. Two bridges are located on Route H near Matthews, Missouri.

The  proposed project would upgrade U.S. Route 67 in Butler County to four lanes in preparation for Future I-57.  The proposed project includes upgrading Route 67 to interstate standards from the Route 160/158 interchange south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to the Missouri/Arkansas state line. Phases 1A, 1B and 2 are funded. 

Southeast Missouri travelers can soon expect to see 17 bridge improvement projects coming to fruition through the Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project. Thirteen bridges in the Bootheel Bridge Bundle are included in Governor Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

Construction of the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 55 and Route 61 (mile marker 99) between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Missouri, is underway. Click the link below to learn more about traffic impacts.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to replace the westbound Business 60 (Pine Street) bridge over the Black River and Union Pacific railroad in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Pedestrian facilities will be included in the new bridge structure.

MoDOT is undertaking an environmental assessment (EA) and conducting public involvement to assess and refine conceptual alternatives to rehabilitate or replace the Route 19 bridges over the Current River and Spring Valley in Shannon County, Missouri, within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

During its regular meeting each month, the Missouri Highways and Transportation reviews and awards projects across the state. Learn more about the Southeast District's upcoming projects!