MoDOT details impacts to I-57 for Route B bridge demo; Route B closes Monday

Construction to replace the Route B bridge near Bertrand, Missouri, over Interstate 57 in Mississippi County is slated to begin this week. In addition to the bridge replacement, roundabouts will be constructed on either side of the bridge.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 20, Route B will be closed over I-57, according to Missouri Department of Transportation. This closure will remain in place throughout construction. Traffic will utilize the interchange ramps from northbound I-57 to travel south on Route B or from southbound I-57 to travel north on Route B.

Demolition of the bridge will take place from 5 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, weather permitting. The work zone will remain in place overnight. During this time, northbound and southbound I-57 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from mile marker 2 to mile marker 6. I-57 traffic will be diverted to utilize the interchange ramps at Route B to avoid traveling under the bridge during this time.

The new bridge will raise the vertical clearance for I-57 traffic from 15 feet to over 16 feet, accordign to MoDOT. This will better accommodate loads passing under the bridge and will bring the bridge to current interstate standards, MoDOT said. Route B must be raised to increase the vertical clearance.

To raise Route B, roundabouts will be built at the top of the interchange ramps to help traffic to flow efficiently and in an effort to improve sight distance for motorists turning onto Route B. The roundabouts offer benefits at this specific location and are a more cost-effective approach than reconstructing the ramps farther from the bridge.

The roundabouts will accommodate tractor trailers and farming equipment.

Completion of the project is anticipated in summer 2023.

The bridge is included in the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project, which will improve 17 bridges throughout Southeast Missouri. Completion of the Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project is anticipated on or before Dec. 31. The design-build project website is available at https://www.modot.org/bootheel-bridge-bundle.

This bridge is also included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.