Route 96 Bridge over Turnback Creek to close week of July 18 for rehabilitation

It was announced last week that crews are set to close the Missouri Route 96 bridge over Turnback Creek west of Halltown for up to 115 days beginning the week of July 18 to rehabilitate the bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
 
Crews will demolish the existing bridge deck/driving surface and beams, leaving the piers and foundation in place to be re-used in the new structure. In addition, the contractor will add new barrier walls, guardrail at the ends of the bridge, an upgraded drainage system and new permanent striping.
 
The bridge also will be widened by three feet to a total of 30 feet to accommodate two 12-foot-wide lanes with three-foot wide shoulders.
 
This bridge was built in 1960 and is in a deteriorating condition. Approximately 6,200 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
 
As a result of the construction:
- All lanes of Route 96 will be closed over Turnback Creek for up to 115 days.
- Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances on either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone.
- Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using I-44 and I-49.
- Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone.
 
Part of overall bridge project
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 are mainline I-44 bridges, five are I-44 overpass bridges and the remaining bridges are on adjacent routes over various features. Sixteen bridges will be replaced and nine bridges will receive major rehabilitation work.
 
All work in 2022 will be in Lawrence County, where crews will replace five bridges and rehabilitate four others.