TRAFFIC ALERT: New Weight Restriction Placed on I-49/Possum Branch Bridge in Bates Co.

Bates County – Signs indicating a weight limit of 40 tons have been installed for a bridge on northbound I-49 over Possum Branch in Bates County south of Butler near Mile Marker 127.2, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The new load posting came about during the department’s regular bridge inspection process to analyze load limitations, which have been updated per Federal Highway Administration guidance.

The bridge is rated as poor and was built in 1963. The new weight limit will be in place until the bridge is replaced. No timeframe has been set to replace the bridge, at this time.

Previously, there was no posted load limit on this bridge.

Approximately 15,000 vehicles travel across the structure each day.

For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest