Aurora – Acquiring the necessary approvals from the railroad to build a bridge over the tracks at Missouri Route 39 and Carnation Avenue and improve railroad crossings to create a train “quiet zone” in Aurora has delayed the project, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
The original date for completion and opening of the bridge and crossings is Feb. 28, 2019.
Work has temporarily been suspended while the railroad, Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF), reviews submittals from the contractor, Hartman & Company, Inc.
The railroad requires the contractor to submit several plans for approval prior to beginning work over and near the tracks. These include plans for lifting beams and materials safely into place over the tracks as well as shoring and forming plans for excavating and constructing bridge columns and footings near the tracks.
This approval process has taken longer than anticipated. MoDOT has been monitoring the process, but does not have a timeline for when the railroad will give its final approvals to the plans.
Winter weather could further delay work.
MoDOT will continue to keep the community informed of the progress, with every effort being made to keep the project on track.
Work began on the project the week of July 16, 2018.
Here’s a look at the project:
-New bridge will be built over BNSF railroad tracks near Carnation Drive
-Box culvert replaced at Route 39 at Chat Creek
-New railroad signals and crossing arms will be installed on Elliot Avenue (Lawrence County Route K) between Olive Street (Route 39) and Mill Street creating a quiet zone (Once railroad crossing improvements are made, the City of Aurora will apply to the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a quiet zone which means trains will no longer sound their warning horns while traveling between Route 39 and Elliot Avenue in Aurora)
-New sidewalks will be built along the north side of Mill Street between McNatt Avenue and Elliot Avenue and along west side of Elliot Avenue between Mill Street and Olive Street
-Pedestrian crossing arms will be installed on the west side of Elliot Street on either side of the railroad tracks between Mill Street and Olive Street
-Railroad crossings will be permanently closed at Morgan Avenue and McNatt Avenue after bridge improvements are in place on Route 39
The project is a partnership between MoDOT and BNSF Railroad.
Hartman & Company, Inc. of Springfield is the prime contractor. The total estimated project cost is $6.7 million.
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