WASHINGTON - Missouri Department of Transportation will temporarily open the Route 47 Missouri River Bridge to two-way traffic overnight on Friday, August 28 starting at approximately 8 p.m., until 6 a.m., on Saturday, August 29, while the contractor shifts to a different stage of rehabilitation work. The bridge will continue to have a 20-ton weight limit throughout the rehabilitation project, even when the bridge is open to two-way traffic. The temporary bridge opening will provide an opportunity for motorists with wide truck-loads to cross the bridge. The next opportunity to cross the bridge with a wide truck-load is expected to be in late September 2009.

Traffic signals near the bridge will be reactivated staring Saturday, August 29 at 6 a.m., with the northbound lane closed and the southbound lane open. Currently, the southbound lane on the bridge is closed with traffic being alternated by signals on the northbound lane. This stage of work is expected to last approximately four weeks while crews continue to repair the Route 47 Missouri River Bridge.

This work is part of the rehabilitation project on the Route 47 Bridge, which is located at the Franklin and Warren Counties line. MoDOT and St. Louis Bridge Construction Company have been working together to reduce as much impact to motorists as possible. The project is expected to be complete in December 2009.

Motorists may experience delays during this work and are encouraged to use alternate routes. Plan ahead to avoid work zone by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT or visiting our website at www.modot.org.
                                                                                
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