|
|
Published September 24, 2008 06:50 pm - Seventy-three of the worst bridges in Southwest Missouri will see major rehabilitation in the next five years. Those bridges are among 802 statewide that have been identified for improvement by the Missouri Department of Transportation under the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program. At least one bridge in every county will be affected.
MoDOT launches largest bridge project in state history
By Wally Kennedy
wkennedy@joplinglobe.com
Seventy-three of the worst bridges in Southwest Missouri will see major rehabilitation in the next five years.
Those bridges are among 802 statewide that have been identified for improvement by the Missouri Department of Transportation under the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program. At least one bridge in every county will be affected.
An initial proposal to use private financing was jettisoned when it became apparent that approach was too expensive for MoDOT’s budget and the financial markets were in too much turmoil, so last week the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission decided to issue bonds to cover the project with annual payments of about $50 million. Even with finance charges, it’s estimated that MoDOT’s new plan will be $300 million to $500 million cheaper than private-sector financing.
Using the private sector, MoDOT would have been required to make annual payments that would have ranged from $65 million to $74 million, depending on interest rates, according to Pete Rahn, director of MoDOT.
“At a time when we are faced with declining revenues and increasing costs, the commission was concerned we might not be able to honor our commitments in MoDOT’s five-year construction program if we went forward at a price over our budget,” said Rahn. “Keeping our promises is the commission’s absolute top priority.”
First up
The project will start early next year with 100 bridges, including 10 in Southwest Missouri. Some of the so-called “quick-start’’ bridges are in Dade, Jasper, Lawrence Newton and Vernon counties.
All of the bridges that will be rehabilitated in the next five years will be identified with signs by Oct. 31. Among those are six heavily-traveled bridges on U.S. Highway 71, north of Joplin, in Vernon, Barton and Jasper counties.
Becky Baltz, district engineer for MoDOT’s District 7 in Southwest Missouri, said, “The bridges were chosen based on ratings resulting from inspections. We primarily focused on the most worn bridges; those needing repairs on a regular basis. Much of the early bridge work will be on bridges needing new decks. The replacement bridges will be addressed later in the project.
“We’re very excited to get 73 of our worst bridges replaced or improved in the next five years. In the past, only 1 to 3 bridges were addressed per year in District 7.”
The district covers 11 counties in Southwest Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Transportation will manage the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program differently than the “design, build, finance and maintain’’ contract that was envisioned with private funding.
There will be 554 bridge replacements included in a single, design-build package to be advertised this fall and awarded in late spring 2009. The remaining 248 bridges to be improved will be contracted using a modified design-bid-build approach, where projects are grouped by type, size or location to accelerate construction schedules.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|

: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE
See all ads |
|
VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE
1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE
NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE
See all ads |
|
BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE
10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE
CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE
1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE
TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|