LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Drivers using Missouri Route 79 in Lincoln County can look forward to a new bridge at the McLean’s Branch, just north of Winfield, by mid- summer.  The Missouri Department of Transportation and its contractor will begin construction on the bridge in the next few weeks, at which time the road will close.  “We expect the bridge to be completed by the end of June, weather permitting,” said MoDOT Area Engineer Erik Maninga.  The new bridge will be longer and wider and include additional guardrail for safety.  There will be a signed detour in place for this closure during construction.

Bleigh Construction Company submitted the low bid of $821,331 and was awarded the contract last fall.  This bridge is included in Gov. Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program passed by the Missouri General Assembly during its 2019 session. The program appropriated $50 million in state general revenue to fund 45 high priority bridge projects throughout the state.

A public informational meeting will be held on Thursday,  March 19 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in Winfield  located at 51 Harry’s Way.  This is an open-house style meeting, so individuals may stop by anytime in that time to visit with MoDOT representatives about the project.

“There will be several displays showcasing the project detail, including the signed detour, as well as information on the upcoming area projects,” said Maninga.  “We encourage individuals to stop by the informational meeting, as well as, sign up for email and text alerts to stay up-to-date on the project,” he added.  All information shown at the public meeting will be available online the day of the meeting at https://www.modot.org/lincoln-county.

For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636). You can also visit us online at www.modot.org/northeast, and sign up for text alerts and road work emails at https://www6.modot.mo.gov/eMoDOTWeb/jsp/signon/signon.jsp.