Miami Bridge project will begin this summer | Commuter lots and Web site will aid motorists

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved a $14.8 million dollar contract to OCCI Inc. of Fulton for improvements to the Missouri River Bridge at Miami in Saline County, according to a news release from Missouri Department of Transportation.

The project calls for a partial replacement of the bridge, nearly identical to what MoDOT has done this year on the Missouri River Bridge at Glasgow.

The overhead truss will be removed along with all the current decking and girders, leaving behind only the large piers in the river. When completed, the bridge will have new decking and girders and be 26-feet wide (11-foot lanes with 2-foot shoulders).

The partial replacement requires the bridge to be closed to traffic for up to 12 months.

The bridge, built in 1939, is currently structurally deficient and has a narrow roadway of just 23 feet.

In recent years, frequently needed maintenance and repairs of the bridge deck and truss have caused the bridge to be closed to one-lane of traffic for extended periods; and completely closed to traffic for short durations.

The project will begin later this summer, sometime after the bridge at Glasgow has been reopened to traffic.

"We made a commitment to the communities that we would not close both of these major river bridges at the same time," said Project Manger Preston Kramer. "The Glasgow Bridge will open to traffic in early August, so we will close the Miami Bridge shortly thereafter."

To help residents living near the bridge and/or frequently using the bridge, MoDOT has begun a major effort to improve carpooling options. These efforts include improving one existing commuter lot, providing two temporary commuter lots, and a new web-interface to assist residents with carpooling.

MoDOT is partnering with the cities of Carrollton and Marshall to provide safe commuter lots.

The three locations: the existing lot at U.S. Highway 65 and 10th Street in Carrollton, and temporary lots at highways 24 and 41 in Carroll County and near the intersection of U.S. 65 and Highway 240 in Marshall.

Dusk-to-dawn lighting will be provided at all three locations.

Additionally, a web interface will soon be established to allow motorists a safe interactive website to link residents with others in the community who have similar transportation needs. MoDOT will provide more information on this effort once the details have been finalized.

The initiatives to improve commuter lot availability and assist with carpooling coordination were based on community input during three public meetings held January 8, 10 and April 23, 2008.

For more information, contact the MoDOT District 2 Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636).

On the Net:
www.modot.org/northcentral/miamibridgepr...