Business 60 railroad bridge project scheduled to start

(From MODOT)

Business 60 RR Bridge Project Scheduled to Start;
Public Invited to June 6 Meeting to Announce Project Schedule

Lawrence County – People who live and work in the Monett area and use Business 60 east of Monett are encouraged to attend a public meeting Tuesday, June 6, to learn more about plans to close the road to replace an aging railroad bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The come-and-go style meeting is planned from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, at the Monett Chamber of Commerce at 200 E. Broadway Street. NO formal presentation is planned.

Those unable to attend the in-person meeting can visit an online public meeting at www.modot.gov/southwest. The same exhibits displayed at the in-person meeting will be available online.

MoDOT representatives will be on hand at the in-person meeting to visit with area residents about the plan to rebuild the bridge with a higher and wider structure. The project is scheduled to begin the week of June 19 and that’s when Business 60 will close for the duration of the project.

Contractor crews have until Dec. 29, 2017 to complete the bridge and open the road to traffic. However, barring any construction delays or weather delays, crews expect to complete the work and reopen Business 60 by the fall.

While Business 60 is closed, a detour will be set up using U.S. Route 60. Drivers can also use Lawrence County Route W to get around the project.

The existing Business 60 bridge was built in 1935 and carries 3,480 vehicles a day. Over the past several years, the bridge has been in need of frequent repairs.

The new bridge will be 30 feet wide and will no longer have a height restriction because the overhead truss system will be removed.

Hartman & Company, Inc. of Springfield is the prime contractor on the project.

The total estimated project cost is $3.7 million.