SIKESTON - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract during its regular meeting today for improvements to the Route UU bridge over Interstate 57, near the City of Charleston in Mississippi County.  The $512,802 contract was awarded to All Type Excavating Inc./dba L. Krupp Construction, Inc., Ellisville, Mo. 

The project will include replacing the existing bridge deck.  Work to improve the bridge could begin as early as November 2009.  During construction, the road will be closed to traffic near the bridge-it's quicker and more cost efficient to do the work all at once.  Also, I-57 traffic will experience a reduced speed and a lane reduction during certain stages of the work. 

Work zones will be marked with signs as the improvements are being made.  Drivers are urged to use extreme caution near the work zones and plan for possible delays.  MoDOT will alert drivers prior to any change in traffic. 

Once construction begins, the project is expected to be completed in approximately 90 days, weather permitting. 

For more information, contact Project Manager Andy Meyer at (573) 472-5296 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636). 

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