Fifty years is about the life expectancy for many bridges in the Missouri Department of Transportation highway network.
That is exactly the age for two southbound State Route 7 bridges over dual streambeds of Big Creek west of Clinton.
According to MODOT, drivers can expect one-lane traffic and travel delays on State Route 7, until the work completes on or before December 15 of this year.
Work crews from MODOT closed north and southbound passing lanes of Route 7 on June 24, to begin refurbishing an existing crossover lane set.
On July 1 the southbound traffic will shift to a head-to-head design onto the northbound lanes. They will remain in this configuration for the duration of the project.
Motorists are asked to expect delays during high traffic volume. Lake traffic on Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons will be impacted.
The speed limits in these one lane areas, will reduce to 60 miles-per-hour.
Signs and message boards will be posted in both directions, alerting motorists to the coming short detour.
Weather and or construction delays, could impact the work schedule and planned December completion date.
The bridges being replaced, were built in 1974.
The contractor will be KCi Construction Company of Springfield, Mo.
The estimated total cost of the project, is estimated at $3.2 million dollars.
Multiple bridge replacement projects, are scheduled throughout Missouri for the 2024 summer work season.
Motorists can check the MODOT Traveler Information Map for road-closings and traffic impact.
For more information, motorists are encouraged to visit the website at
www.modot.org/southwest.
