The public is invited to an
open-house style meeting to view the recommended location options for a
new bridge at U.S. 54 over the Mississippi River in Louisiana on
Tuesday, October 1 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Twin Pikes YMCA in
Louisiana.  In addition to these options, attendees will be able to view
and comment on improvements that could be made as part of the bridge
project on U.S. 54 and MO 79 near the existing bridge approach  in
downtown Louisiana.  Those who are unable to attend the meeting in
person can view these options and make comments online at www.modot.org/northeast, between September 25 and October 18, 2013.

"While
there is no funding for a new bridge, it is a significant need in
northeast Missouri," said MoDOT Area Engineer Brian Haeffner.  "We are
currently in the environmental assessment (EA) process which helps us
determine the best location for a new bridge, should funding become
available," he explained.

The
three location options that are being presented to the public on
October 1 have been narrowed down from nine over the last year.  "All
three options will have a new bridge entering Missouri close to the
existing bridge, so we have included potential improvements for the U.S.
54/MO 79 intersection as part of the EA process," Haeffner said.  "Once
the bridge is funded, we can proceed with the design phase of a new
bridge and intersection improvements, so it is very important we receive
input from the public now," he added.

The
Citizen's Advisory Group (CAG) has been instrumental in helping MoDOT
gather public opinion about the process.  "We are fortunate to have
several engaged folks who care about the transportation needs in the
area and are working hard to help us share information about this
project," Haeffner said.  A specific web site, www.champclarkbridge.com,
has been created to allow any one the opportunity to participate in the
public involvement project, and Haeffner encourages all to check it
out.

"We are one year into
the EA process, and we still have at least another year to go," Haeffner
explained.  He said now that the three options have been presented,
more in-depth environmental and historic research will be completed to
determine impacts, which could affect the final location decision.

For more information about the project, please email Haeffner at brian.haeffner@modot.mo.gov, or call him at  660-385-8620 .