The ongoing saga of the Carroll County Route J bridge closure has taken another turn, as the replacement works, initially set for December 2, 2024, have once again been delayed. Construction is now slated to start this coming Monday, highlighting the challenges faced by residents and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) alike. This bridge, a lifeline for the approximately 487 vehicles that cross daily, was built in 1932 and has stood witness to decades of history along Bridge Creek, just west of Hale.
Motorists have been advised to proactively seek alternate routes to circumvent the imminent closure. MoDOT and its contractors have been working to swiftly push forward amidst setbacks due to contractor scheduling conflicts and adverse weather conditions. In a statement obtained by MoDOT, the project is part of the "Northwest Bridge Bundle" – an ambitious endeavor aiming to either replace or rehabilitate 31 bridges in poor condition within north central Missouri. The Bridge Creek Bridge happens to be number 13 on this list.
The logistical aspects of the bridge replacement are about to translate from paper to pavement. MoDOT Project Director Michael Marriott conveys the scale of this infrastructural ballet, where a Design-Build method has been selected for its benefits. The Capital – Horner & Shifrin team, following their selection by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in December 2023, have shouldered the responsibility to both design and construct these crucial bridges under a single contract.
"The Northwest Bridge Bundle is a Design-Build project which will replace or rehabilitate 31 poor-condition bridges in north central Missouri, and this bridge is number 13," Michael Marriott was quoted as saying in the statement from MoDOT. The expected completion date for the Carroll County Route J bridge is in May 2025, offering a light at the end of the tunnel for daily commuters and the local economy that are bracing to potentially face several months of detours and delays.
