Willow Springs, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced work on the bridge over Meramec River, on Route M in Crawford County, has been delayed until Sept. 14. Weather permitting, crews from Contractor, L. Krupp Construction, Inc., of Ellisville, Mo., will begin work replacing the bridge deck on Sept. 14.

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 60 days," Hess said. "The shortened closure time will lessen the impact to the traveling public."

A web page is also available for the latest information regarding the Safe & Sound program and bridges in your area. 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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