Willow Springs, Mo. - Work is set to begin on the Route E bridge over the Louse Creek in Oregon County at 7 a.m., Monday, Mar. 30. Contractor Joe's Bridge and Grading, Inc., of Poplar Bluff, Mo., will perform the work, which falls under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Safe & Sound bridge improvement program.

According to MoDOT South Central District Safe & Sound Coordinator Ed Hess, the bridge must be temporarily closed during construction, in order to replace the bridge deck. "Once the bridge closes, the contract states work must be complete and the bridge reopened within 45 days," Hess said. "A brief closure time will mean less impact to the traveling public."

Hess said the district Safe & Sound team encourages those interested in the project to visit the web site, which features updates on all Safe & Sound projects, including Route E. To access the web site, visit http://www.modot.mo.gov/southcentral/ and then click on the Safe & Sound icon.

Changeable message boards were set near the bridge as a means of reminding motorists of plans to start work the week of Mar. 30.

For additional information regarding this or other transportation-related topics, call the MoDOT Customer Service Center, toll-free, at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636). Customers also may email the center at d9csc@modot.mo.gov.

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