Weather permitting, earth work will begin as the first phase to replace the Cuivre River Bridges on U.S. Route 61 north of Troy the week of April 8.  This work will all be done off the road, so while drivers can see the work being done, they will not be impacted on the highway.  The contract to replace the bridges, along with making intersection improvements on Route KK just north of the bridges, was awarded by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to KCI Construction Company for $14,595,000.

“Most of the work for the new bridges will not impact traffic this year,” said MoDOT Area Engineer Erik Maninga, P.E.  The new bridges are going to be built on either side of the existing bridges, with a slight realignment of U.S. 61.  “Eventually, we will have a work zone around the bridges for the work, but that will more than likely be next year,” Maninga said.  The new bridges are expected to be completed by December 2020.

The Route KK intersection improvement includes an offset left turn lane on northbound U.S. 61, and an acceleration lane on southbound U.S. 61, which will make for safer travel in that area.  “This work will be done this summer, probably starting in June, and there will be some impact to traffic,” Maninga said.  More information about these impacts will be provided when improvements are about to begin.

The best way to stay informed about the project is to subscribe to MoDOT’s e-update service at https://www6.modot.mo.gov/eMoDOTWeb/jsp/signon/signon.jsp.

Please slow down in work zones and always buckle up, phone down.  April 8 – 12 is National Work Zone Awareness Week.