Sweet relief

Narrow Honey Creek bridge on Highway 39 to be demolished, replaced with slightly wider version
Work begins week of May 6, could take up to 140 days
Drivers on Highway 39 will soon have a second bridge replacement to deal with, but this one is south of Mt. Vernon. A project to replace the Missouri Route 39 bridge over Honey Creek is set to begin the week of May 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Crews will close the highly traveled bridge that sits 2.5 miles south of Mt. Vernon for up to 140 days, as they demolish the existing bridge and replace it with a new structure. The new bridge will be four feet wider than the previous one. In addition, the contractor will add new barrier walls, guardrail and new permanent striping.
This bridge was built in 1931 and is in a deteriorating condition. Approximately 4,800 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
Traffic Impacts
- All lanes of Route 39 will be closed where crews are working;
- Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances on both ends of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone;
- Traffic will be directed along a signed detour using Lawrence County routes K and FF and Missouri Route 39
- 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 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. So far, 17 bridges in the project have been completed.