HENRIETTA, MO - The Missouri Department of Transportation will host a community briefing regarding bridge improvements to the Route H Bridge over Willow Creek just west of Henrietta in Ray County and other Ray County bridges as part of MoDOT's Safe and Sound Bridge program. The open-house style meeting will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 in the Henrietta Community Center, 406 Main Street in Henrietta, Mo.

The Safe and Sound Bridge Program will improve 800 of Missouri's worst bridges in five years.  In the Kansas City area, MoDOT will replace or repair 145 bridges, with 22 in the Ray County area.  MoDOT will repair its first bridge in Ray County on Route H, which was let in March. Construction will begin on May 19. Complete bridge closure is necessary as it allows the contractor to complete the work quickly and get the bridges back open faster. It also keeps our costs down by minimizing the need for additional right of way and for costly roadway work. Every bridge that's closed during construction allows us to work on another bridge in need of attention. Once construction begins, the contractor has 31 days to complete the work, reopening the bridge in mid June.

MoDOT is working closely with city officials, emergency responders and the school district to ensure that all the information is made available, and the safest detour route is in place during the bridge closure. Those wishing to seek more information on the bridge closures for Route H Bridge over Willow Creek are urged to attend the Community Briefing on Thursday, May 7 from 4-6 p.m. at the Henrietta Community Center. For more information about the Safe and Sound Bridge Program, please visit our website at http://www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity/safesound.htm.

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