Project to Replace Route K & PP/I-44 Bridge in Greene County to Begin Week of May 13

Greene County - 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, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Crews will CLOSE the bridge for up to 115 days, as they demolish the existing bridge and replace it with a new structure. The new bridge will be 64.5 feet shorter, four (4) feet wider and two (2) feet higher than the previous one. In addition, the contractor will add new barrier walls, guardrail and new permanent striping.

This bridge was built in 1960 and is in a deteriorating condition. Approximately 1,700 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Traffic Impacts:

• All lanes of Route K/PP will be CLOSED where crews are working for the duration of the project
• 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 may be directed to stop by flaggers at the top of the ramps
  • I-44 drivers may experience slowed traffic and delays during demolition
  • Right turns will be allowed onto Routes K & PP
  • Traffic on Routes K & PP will have access to I-44 after first coming to a stop at the top of the ramp
• 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
• Drivers may also experience occasional nighttime lane closures on I-44 as needed
• 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. So far, 17 bridges in the project have been completed.

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

Project Details:

• Prime Contractor - The ESS Team
  • Emery 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.

For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest

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