Mother Nature's fickleness strikes again as Laclede County's South Outer Road 44 at Exit 135 is now playing a waiting game due to predicted harsh weather conditions, essentially hitting pause on the scheduled bridge closure and subsequent deck replacement over Bear Creek. Initially set to shut down imminently, the postponement leaves the community in a temporary state of limbo. MoDOT, keeping a vigilant eye on the ever-shifting weather patterns, is yet to pinpoint an exact date for the closure, stating the earliest it could occur is next Thursday, according to MoDOT's announcement.
Despite no official detour route provided by MoDOT, motorists won't be left entirely to their own devices, as signs will be erected well in advance of the closure to shepherd drivers towards alternate passages. Longevity is the impressive story of the bridge's past, erected in 1923, and standing after a once in a lifetime touch-up in 1972, the structure now visibly narrates the tale of its decline, marking the twilight of its usefulness and prompting the need for a full replacement. And while the historical bridge has weathered many a storm, the forecasted inclement weather serves as yet another twist in its century-long existence.
MoDOT has prescribed a rejuvenation for the ailing bridge; its new iteration is set to maintain the same 26-foot width. The improvements—still respectful of its heritage—include an 8-inch increase in bridge height, aiming to give Bear Creek more breathing room when the water decides to rise and new guardrails to ensure those crossing do so safely.
The update promises a blend of tradition with modern necessity and is expected to welcome traffic by the turn of September, as per MoDOT's schedule contingent on cooperative weather.
