Route 97 Bridge over Center Creek in Lawrence County closed beginning January 8

(From MODOT)

Route 97 Bridge Over Center Creek in Lawrence County
CLOSED for Replacement Beginning Week of Jan. 8

Lawrence County – Missouri Route 97 in Lawrence County will be CLOSED approximately three miles south of I-44 beginning the week of Jan. 8 to replace the bridge over Center Creek, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Contractor crews will replace the old bridge with a new wider structure.

To get around the work zone, drivers can use a signed detour on I-44 and Route 37.

Drivers can get to entrances on either side of the bridge. However, they will not be able to cross the bridge during construction.

Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the bridge closing.

Two other bridges, on Route 96 over Dry Fork Creek and Stahl Creek north of Mt. Vernon, were also part of this contract. They were opened to traffic Dec. 22.

Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.

Project background:
Prime Contractor: Hartman & Company Inc., Springfield
Completion Date: November 1, 2018 (however, the bridge will be completed this spring)
Total project cost: $3.66 million