Branson area drivers, prepare to alter your routes because the westbound Missouri Route 76 bridge over the MNA Railroad north of Branson will be closed for the foreseeable future. According to MoDOT, the closure is slated to start on Monday, January 6, and will stretch until March 2025, barring any unexpected delays due to weather or construction issues.
The bridge rehabilitation is part of a larger project that saw the eastbound Route 76 bridge undergo similar work earlier this year. As crews set to roughly begin the westbound work, travelers will be directed to follow a signed detour that utilizes Route 65 and Route 265. Clear signage and message boards are expected to alert drivers effectively to the revamped traffic patterns, while constant updates can be found on MoDOT's Traveler Information Map.
Those accustomed to taking the westbound Missouri Route 76 will need to steer clear between Missouri Route 248 and Missouri Route 376 to avoid the closure zone. Moreover, the ramp from Missouri Route 248 to westbound Route 76 will not be available to motorists during this period. Fortunately, the eastbound Route 76 remains open, maintaining at least a one-way flow of traffic.
Financially, this construction saga represents an $850,000 investment by the state into the area's infrastructure. Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc., the Columbia-based contractor entrusted with this endeavor, has projected a contract completion date of May 16, 2025, although they aim to possibly complete the work as early as March 2025.
