Route 97 to be closed for bridge replacement north of Stotts City

(From MODOT)

Missouri Route 97 CLOSED in Lawrence Co. Beginning Week of June 12 for Bridge & Culvert Replacement

Missouri Route 97 will be CLOSED beginning the week of June 12 for replacement of the Spring River bridge and a box culvert over Spring Creek north of Stotts City, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The Spring River bridge will be 11 feet longer and four feet wider than the current one. The Spring Creek culvert will be one foot longer, 1.5 feet wider and seven feet higher than the one being replaced. The contractor also will install new barrier walls, guardrail and permanent pavement striping.

The contractor will close one bridge at a time. Work will begin on the Spring River bridge the week of June 12. Upon completion of that bridge in late fall 2023, the contractor will reopen all lanes of Route 97. Crews will return in March 2024 to replace the Spring Creek culvert.

The current Spring River bridge was built in 1947 and the Spring Creek culvert was built in 1900. Both are in deteriorating condition. Approximately 1,300 vehicles cross the bridges daily.

Traffic impacts

All lanes of Route 97 CLOSED where crews are working

Work will be done on one bridge at a time, beginning with the Spring River bridge

All lanes of Route 97 OPEN between completion of Spring River bridge in Fall 2023 and start of construction of Spring Creek culvert in Spring 2024

Drivers will have access to entrances and driveways at either end of the work zone but will not be able to travel through the work zone

Drivers will be directed along a signed detour on Missouri Route 96, Missouri Route 39 and I-44

Drivers are urged to find alternate routes around the work zone

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

(Weather and/or unforeseen delays will alter the work schedule)

Project background

Prime Contractor: Hartman & Company, Inc., Springfield

Completion Date: July 1, 2024
Total project cost: $2.4 million