Project to Replace Route 43/Elk River Bridge Scheduled to Begin week of Feb. 16

McDonald County - A project to replace the Missouri Route 43 bridge over the Elk River west of Anderson near the Cowskin Conservation Area is scheduled to begin the week of February 16, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Contractor crews will demolish the current bridge and replace it with a new one that is slightly higher, 31 feet longer and six (6) feet wider. The contractor will also add object markers at either end of the bridge, permanent pavement striping and stabilize the Elk River bank near the bridge.

The project also includes ditch stabilization along Missouri Route 59 just north of McDonald County Route DD near Noel.

Here's a look at the project:

• Beginning the week of February 16 the contractor will begin preparing for demolition of the bridge, work on stabilizing the Elk River bank and perform the ditch stabilization on Route 59
• • The bridge will remain OPEN during this phase of the project
• In mid-March the contractor will leave the site until approximately the week of May 4 when crews will return and begin demolition
• The bridge will be CLOSED for up to 160 days
• Access to Cowskin Conservation Area will be maintained throughout the project
• Drivers will have access to all field entrances and driveways, but will not be able to cross the bridge
• Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using Missouri routes 76, 59 and 90
• For more information, go to the project website here
• Check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Project Information:

• Prime contractor: West Plains Bridge & Grading LLC, West Plains
• Project cost: $5.1 million
• Project completion date: December 1, 2026

For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest

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