Willow Springs, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced work will begin on the bridge over Brazil Creek on Route W in Washington County.  Weather permitting; crews from Contractor Joe's Bridge and Grading, Inc., will begin work replacing the bridge deck on Sept. 14, 2009.

The bridge has been identified as one among 802 across the state with critical improvement needs under the MoDOT Safe & Sound bridge improvement program. These 802 bridges will be repaired or replaced within five years.

According to MoDOT Bridge Engineer Ed Hess, work is expected to proceed quickly. "Once the bridge closes, the contract states work must be complete and the bridge reopened within 45 days," Hess said. "The shortened closure time will lessen the impact to the traveling public."

MoDOT is sensitive to the impact that will be felt by those who travel Route W during the closure. "We have already been in touch with many key stakeholders to discuss school bus routes, emergency response and more and anyone with questions regarding this project is welcome to contact the department," Hess said. Changeable message boards will be placed near the bridge to remind motorists of the pending closure. "We hope this daily reminder will allow those who drive through the area to plan ahead," he said.

A web page has been developed to house the latest information regarding the Safe & Sound program. To view this information, visit www.modot.org/southcentral and click on the Safe & Sound 800 Better Bridges icon.

To access the web site, visit www.modot.org/southcentral and then click on the Safe & Sound icon. 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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