The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced yesterday the permanent closing of the MO Route 53 overpass bridge in Campbell, Mo. The 78-year-old bridge, which crosses the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad line, was originally closed, on a temporary and precautionary basis, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, when excessive movement was noted during a routine inspection. MoDOT crews began a further inspection at that point, digging on the south side of the bridge, to find out what was going on underneath, because officials had discovered the top of the bridge, which measures 28 feet tall, had actually leaned an additional one foot since its last inspection, in 2012. State law requires Missouri bridges be inspected every two years. MoDOT's Southeast Area Engineer, David Wyman, said crews had indeed noted a slight leaning in the 2012 inspection, but that it was not of particular concern, at the time. However, this latest round of investigation has revealed a crack in one of the bridge columns. And, as the lean increases, the bridge beams, which rest on concrete abuttments, are sliding, due to the decreased support.
MoDOT engineers, including Wyman and District Engineer, Mark Shelton, gathered at the Campbell bridge site yesterday morning, for a final inspection with MoDOT's head Bridge Engineer, Dennis Heckman. Heckman recommended the bridge be closed for good. He also said MoDOT should do no further digging or probing at the site, because of the risk of further shifting. In Wyman's words, "Too much stuff has shifted out of place there."
Wyman said that, at the time of the Aug. 30 preliminary closing, MoDOT had hoped to find a temporary solution that could keep the bridge open and stabilized for at least two more years. However, as discussions continued, officials acknowledged the greater risk posed by the heavy truck traffic of harvest season, which is just around the corner. The bridge also crosses the active UP rail line. Today's decision means the bridge will have to be torn down, and a new one built.
Wyman said that process, which is predicted to cost more than $1million, will take up to a year, because there is currently no money in the MoDOT construction budget for this unexpected bridge replacement. "We're going to have to move some things around," he said, adding the department is not sure yet exactly what budget shifts will be made.
Once budgets are reallocated, MoDOT will hire an engineer to design the bridge replacement. As part of the process, the engineer will have to secure an agreement with Union Pacific, and conduct some geo-technical drilling. Once the design is complete, MoDOT will advertise the project, gather bids and award the contract. The contractor will then have to tear down the existing bridge, and start construction on the new one.
Although MoDOT has marked alternate routes in the area, the detour has proven confusing for many drivers. The lengthy routes for Highways 62 and 53 begin at Malden, on one side, and on Route J, on the other. The City of Malden has called a meeting for Monday night, to work with MoDOT officials in trying to establish a new route that detours closer to town.