Attention drivers in Cooper County: Brace yourselves for a little slowdown come early July. The Lamine River Bridge on Missouri Route 41 is set to get a facelift, as maintenance crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be on-site sealing the bridge deck and swapping out the old guardrail for new. This maintenance dance kicks off on July 7, and barring any tantrums from Mother Nature, should wrap by July 22.
Commuters won't need to find a new route, but patience will be the word of the day—flaggers will be herding traffic through, so plan to pump the breaks as you make your way over the river. According to MoDOT, work shifts are booked daily from the break of dawn at 7 a.m. up to the evening bell at 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, so early risers and evening commuters can both expect some company on their drives.
With hand on heart, MoDOT is pleading with drivers to play it safe. "MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones," the official statement declares. Clearly, eyes on the road and hands on the wheel is how they want this dance to roll, with the ultimate focus being the safety of both the work crews and travelers.
For those who brave this stretch of Route 41 during the maintenance period, caution is the buzzword—slow down, heed those signs and sidestep any distractions.
