Lane reductions planned on I-44 bridges at Freistatt Branch

(From MODOT)

Lane Reductions on I-44 Bridges at Freistatt Branch Beginning Week of March 15 for Rehabilitation

I-44 traffic over Freistatt Branch west of Mt. Vernon near Mile Marker 41 in Lawrence County will be reduced to one lane in each direction for up to 90 days when contractor crews begin work to rehabilitate the bridges beginning the week of March 15, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Crews will make repairs to the bridge deck/driving surface and lay a new concrete surface. In addition, the contractor will add new approach pavement, new permanent striping and make substructure repairs.

These bridges were built in 1963 as two of the bridges built during the original construction of I-44 through Lawrence County. Approximately 30,600 vehicles cross these bridges daily.

Traffic Impacts

I-44 will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction near Mile Marker 41 for up to 90 days

Drivers should expect slowed traffic, traffic delays

Crews and large equipment near traffic

Speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph through work zone

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

Drivers should consider alternate routes during the project

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

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

This work is part of a three-year project to improve 25 bridges within 15 miles of I-44 across the Southwest District. Of the 25 bridges in the project, known as the I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle, seven (7) are mainline I-44 bridges, five (5) are I-44 overpass bridges and the remaining bridges are on adjacent routes over various features. Sixteen (16) bridges will be replaced and nine (9) bridges will receive major rehabilitation work.

More information about this project can be found on the project website – I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle.

Project Details

Prime Contractor – The ESS TeamEmery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Columbia
Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. – St. Louis
Total Project Cost: $43.2 million
Contract Completion Date: September 30, 2024

The ESS Team is a partnership of engineering and construction firms that will design and construct the project with oversight by MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.