MoDOT Public Notice: Route 142 Eleven Point River Bridge, Roadway Improvements in Oregon County

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to improve Route 142 near Billmore, Missouri in Oregon County. The project includes replacing the Route 142 bridge over the Eleven Point River. A section of the roadway, located from the Eleven Point River to 0.4 miles east of the river, will be raised to mitigate issues with flooding.

Section 4(f)

Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 USC 303), hereinafter referred to as "Section 4(f)," protects publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, waterfowl refuges, and significant historic resources. Two locations on either side of the Eleven Point River at "The Narrows" are the Section 4(f) properties identified by MoDOT. The Highway 142 access known as "The Narrows" is the last river access for the Eleven Point National Scenic River. This access is 8.7 miles downriver of Riverton. If you are aware of any other potential Section 4(f) resources, please comment on them as per instructed below.

The Narrows West Entrance: "The Narrows" gets its name from a narrow ridge of land between the river and Frederick Creek. The area has beautiful springs. To the westside of the river, an entrance provides access to walk the ridgeline and view the springs. The Narrows West Entrance is a Section 4(f) resource. For safety reasons, the Narrows entrance to the westside of the river will be temporarily closed during a portion of construction.

The Narrows East Access, known locally as "Highway 142 Eleven Point River Access:" To the eastside of the river at the Narrows is a developed site with a single-lane, concrete boat ramp and paved parking. The Narrows East Access is a Section 4(f) resource. For safety reasons, it will be temporarily closed during a portion of construction. The boat ramp will be inaccessible during this time.

Bridge T0395 carries Route 142 over the Eleven Point River in Oregon County. It is a 10-panel Warren polygonal all verticals Pony Truss constructed in 1957 and is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for significance in transportation and Criterion C for significance in engineering.

Impacts to river traffic will be minimal, with brief closures planned as girders are set for the new bridge and when the truss span is removed over the channel. Motorists should also be aware that the new access road off Route 142 may be used for staging construction equipment.

In compliance with Section 4(f) and its implementing regulations codified at 23 CFR Part 774, the FHWA in cooperation with MoDOT provides public notice of its proposal to make a Section 4(f) de minimis effect determination on the Narrows east access and west entrance; a proposal to make a Bridge Programmatic 4(f) for the Historic Bridge T0395; and to provide the opportunity for public review and comment of this proposed determination.

Individuals and organizations wishing to comment may submit their feedback to MoDOT's Southeast District in the following ways:

• Website: modot.org/form/route142oregon
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: facebook.com/MoDOTSoutheast
• X/Twitter: x.com/MoDOTSoutheast

Comments will be accepted through Thursday, January 30, 2025. For more information on designated access points along the Eleven Point River, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21676.

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