(Springfield’s News Talk 104.1) – A project to replace the Greene County Route K/PP bridge over I-44 (Exit 61) west of Springfield is set to begin the week of May 13.
Crews will close the bridge for up to 115 days.
The current bridge was built in 1960 and is in a deteriorating condition.
MoDOT says that approximately 1,700 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
All I-44 lanes will be closed in both directions between 7 p.m., Saturday, May 18 and 4 a.m., Monday, May 20 for demolition of the current bridge I-44 traffic will be diverted up and over the ramps at Exit 61 during the demolition.
Drivers will have access to businesses, driveways and entrances on either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone.
Traffic will be directed along a signed detour:
- Southbound Route K detoured west on I-44 to Lawrence County Route Z/O (Exit 58) near Halltown, then east on I-44 to Route K/PP
- Northbound Route PP detoured east on I-44 to Greene County Route T/NN (Exit 67) near Republic, then west on I-44 to Route K/PP
Weather and/or construction delays could alter the work schedule.
Crews hope to have the work complete by September 30, 2024.
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. So far, 17 bridges in the project have been completed.
