Nance: Notices from MoDOT for Three Bridge Closures

Two Route 10 Bridges Closing in Excelsior Springs

MoDOT Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program, with a Sunny Twist

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO. - The Missouri Department of Transportation continues work on bridges as part of the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. MoDOT will rehabilitate the Route 10 Bridge over Fishing River in Ray County and the Route 10 Bridge over Route 69 in Clay County starting June 30, weather permitting.

Awarded to Widel, Inc., the Fishing River Bridge, built in 1938, carries almost 7,000 vehicles per day. Crews will close this bridge June 30 to replace the bridge deck. The Route 10 Bridge over Route 69 was built in 1954 and carries more than 8,500 vehicles per day. Crews will close this bridge by mid-July. Both bridges are expected to reopen by October 1. A signed detour will be in place during each closure.

MoDOT is also taking an innovative approach with these bridges and testing a new bridge deck heating system. Every winter, a considerable amount of labor, salt and other chemicals are used to remove snow and ice from the state's roads and bridges. Now MoDOT will become one of the first agencies in the nation to turn to solar energy in an effort to prevent the buildup of snow and ice on bridge decks by using a solar warming system from Pave Guard Technologies, Inc.

This system, developed by Pave Guard's Corey McDonald, operates much like radiant heating works in a home's floor. Tubing is installed in the bridge deck, through which a heated solution is pumped to keep the deck from freezing. The energy to heat the solution is provided by solar panels mounted near the bridge site. Excess energy produced by the panels when the heating system is not in use can be sold back to local utilities.

"Water and the chemicals used to melt ice and snow are a bridge's biggest enemies," State Bridge Engineer Dennis Heckman said. "If we can find a cost effective way to keep a bridge clear without using chemicals we can extend its life."

By installing this system at the same time the bridges are under repair, the department can test an innovative new technology and keep the Safe & Sound program moving forward efficiently and affordably.

As with any construction project, weather could postpone the project. For further information about this project and others, please visit MoDOT's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/modot.kansascity, Twitter site at www.twitter.com/modot_kc, or web site at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. You can also contact MoDOT 24 hours-a-day at 888-ASK-MODOT to find out information or report road concerns.

Route A Bridge Northwest of Hardin to Close for More Than a Month

HARDIN, Mo. - The Route A Bridge over the drainage ditch north of Route 10 in Ray County will close July 6 for 32 days so that contractors can remove and replace the 80-year-old bridge.

MoDOT has placed message boards near the bridge to redirect traffic to alternative routes for the next month.

The Route A bridge is the first of seven MoDOT bridges in Ray County to be repaired this year through the Safe & Sound program.  All work on these seven bridges is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

These bridges are among more than 800 throughout Missouri to be repaired or replaced in the next five years through MoDOT's Safe & Sound bridge program. Closing bridges lets the contractor complete the work quickly and get the bridges back open faster. It also keeps costs down, saving your taxpayer money.

For more information about other MoDOT projects, please visit MoDOT's Website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter or send questions and comments to kccommunityrelations{at}modot{dot}mo{dot}gov.