The Missouri Department of Transportation has decided to replace the bridge on Route A over the Weldon Fork of the Thompson River, rather than make repairs to the current structure.
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According to District Engineer Dan Niec, inspections of the bridge earlier this week showed that deficiencies in the steel were beyond what could have adequately been repaired by MoDOT. Thus, the bridge engineers concluded from the data collected that the best solution would be to replace the structure.
MoDOT closed the bridge to traffic on Sept. 22 after water and debris washed the center pier away from the bridge.
Niec said that an emergency declaration has been sent to the Governor’s office requesting assistance in funding the project.
“We have selected a consultant to design the replacement structure,” Niec said. “The proposed timeline is to have bids on the project opened on Nov. 19, considered for award by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on Nov. 23, and if awarded, a Notice to Proceed of Nov. 29.”
According to Niec, a very aggressive schedule will be included in the contract, requiring the bridge to be reopened to traffic by March 31, 2011.
During the past week MoDOT has begun preliminary engineering for the bridge replacement to help speed the design process. The work includes surveying, environmental and cultural resource investigations,and boring ground core samples as well as preliminary design for the new bridge.
MoDOT will continue to keep the public informed on the progress of the project.
The detour suggested by MoDOT for motorists is Highway 65 to Route C.
Video of the huge mass of debris rapidly moving in the water pushing under the bridge directly onto the pier was captured by a MoDOT employee and has been posted on the MoDOT website at http://www.modot.mo.gov/northcentral/. Photos of the bridge, showing the sway in the center where the pier has washed away, are also on the website.