MoDOT: Expect Lane Closures, Traffic Delays on I-49/MNA Railroad Bridges in Bates County, Beginning June 12th for Rehab Project

Bates County – Drivers should expect lane closures and traffic delays when contractor crews begin work to replace the bridge decks/driving surfaces on the I-49/Missouri & Northern Arkansas (MNA) Railroad bridges in Bates County north of Butler beginning the week of June 12, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Contractor crews will remove the bridge decks/driving surfaces and replace them with a new concrete surface. In addition, crews will add new guardrail, bridge ends and permanent lane striping.

The bridges, located just north of Butler near Mile Marker 135.6, were originally built in 1969, carrying approximately 17,400 vehicles per day and are in a deteriorating condition.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction while the contractor constructs crossover lanes in the median. When that work is complete, southbound traffic will be shifted head-to-head over the northbound bridge beginning as soon as mid-July. When the southbound bridge is complete, work will stop for the winter and the traffic pattern will return to two OPEN lanes in each direction.

The contractor plans to resume work on the northbound bridge beginning in the spring of 2024. At that time, traffic will be shifted head-to-head over the southbound bridge.

Traffic impacts:

I-49 traffic reduced to one-lane in each direction while contactor builds crossover lanes in the median

After crossover lanes completed, I-49 traffic reduced to one lane in each direction with southbound traffic shifted head-to-head in the northbound lanes over MNA Railroad between Mile Markers 135 & 137 near Butler

When work on the northbound bridge begins in Spring 2024, I-49 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction with northbound traffic shifted head-to-head over the MNA Railroad for the remainder of the project

Expect delays during high traffic volume times

Only one lane open in each direction during construction of the crossover lanes and work on the bridge decks/driving surfaces
Speed limit reduced to 60 mph through the work zone

Watch for equipment and crews entering and exiting the work zone
No signed detours

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone

Drivers should consider alternate routes during the project
Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Project information: 

Prime contractor: Capital Paving & Construction, Columbia Total project cost: $4 million
Contract completion date: July 30, 2024