Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) officials announced Wednesday, Jan. 30, that despite the inconvenience of an anticipated year-long closure of the bridge over the Missouri River at Miami, most who attended the public meetings earlier this month were in favor of the "partial replacement" option proposed by MoDOT.

The alternatives presented by MoDOT were:

-- Rehabilitation of existing bridge ($12-14 million)

-- Partial replacement ($14-16 million)

Information presented during the meetings showed the Miami bridge was built in 1939 and last rehabilitated in 1983. It has a narrow roadway of 23 feet, and needs continual maintenance just to keep the bridge open to traffic.

Rehabilitating the existing bridge, although the cheaper option, would still not eliminate the regular maintenance closings and would not add width to the narrow deck. Rehabilitation would require the bridge be closed to traffic for a minimum of three months.

Partial replacement would remove the existing deck and steelwork from the supporting piers, provide new steel and roadway on top for a new 26-foot driving surface, and would extend the life of the bridge 50-plus years. Partial rehabilitation would require the bridge be closed to traffic for up to 12 months.

Of the 75 comments received from the public, 94 percent supported the lengthier and more expensive proposal as the best solution to the problem.

More than a third of the comments also included requests for alternate transportation, said Project Manager Preston Kramer.

Kramer commented, "the public (understands) partial replacement is the best option. They also acknowledged the hardship they will experience from the closure ..."

Currently, MoDOT is working with property owners and utility companies, and is looking into possible alternate transportation solutions during the closure.

A public hearing to discuss those alternatives will be scheduled in mid-April.

The proposed project award date is set for mid-March 2009.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net