Miami Bridge closure rescheduled for Oct. 5

The Missouri River bridge at Miami as it appeared in August, looking south toward the town. The bridge will be closed Oct. 5 to make way for major renovation and will be closed for approximately one year. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

supporting carpool efforts

Transportation officials announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, the agency will close the Missouri River bridge at Miami to traffic on Monday, Oct. 5, at 7 a.m. to begin the bridge renovation project.

The bridge will be closed to traffic for a period of up to 12 months, according to the news release.

The closure was originally scheduled for August, but was postponed until the Missouri River bridge at Glasgow reopened, which occurred Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 23.

To help residents living near the Miami Bridge and motorists who frequently use the bridge, MoDOT has begun a major effort to improve carpooling options, officials said.

These efforts include improving one existing commuter lot, providing two temporary commuter lots and developing a new Web site to assist residents with carpooling.

MoDOT partnered with the cities of Carrollton and Marshall to provide safe commuter lots. The three locations include the existing lot at U.S. Highway 65 and 10th Street in Carrollton, temporary lots at state 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. Two lots are currently open for commuter use, and the third lot, located at highways 24 and 41, will be ready for use within 24 hours of the closure.

Additionally, a Web site will allow motorists a safe interactive place to link residents with others in the community who have similar transportation needs.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the $14.8 million bridge contract with OCCI, Inc. of Fulton.

The project calls for partial replacement of the bridge, nearly identical to what MoDOT has just completed on the 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 two-foot shoulders).

The life expectancy of the new bridge is 50-plus years.

A groundbreaking ceremony is also planned for Monday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the public river access near the bridge.

The public is invited to attend.

Related stories:
Miami Bridge closure postponed
www.marshallnews.com/story/1558877.html
Miami Bridge project will begin this summer | Commuter lots and Web site will aid motorists:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1507983.html
How will commuters get to work? | Bridge projects present challenges to area employers, workers:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1304488.html

On the Net:
www.modot.mo.gov/services/carpools/Carpo...
www.modot.org/northcentral/miamibridgepr...