MoDOT - Missouri Department of Transportation

01/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2026 08:12

Route U Bridge Over Truman Lake to CLOSE Week of Feb. 2 for Rehabilitation

Henry County - Contractor crews are set to CLOSE the Henry County Route U bridge over the Grand River Arm of Truman Lake southeast of Clinton beginning the week of February 2 to rehabilitate the bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

The bridge is expected to be closed to traffic until late November 2026.

Crews will replace the existing bridge deck/driving surface. In addition, the contractor will add new approach pavement, barrier walls, guardrail at the ends of the bridge and new permanent striping.

This bridge was built in 1977 and is in a deteriorating condition. Approximately 630 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Traffic Impacts:

  • All lanes of Route U will be CLOSED over Truman Lake until late November
  • Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances at either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone
  • Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using Route U, Missouri Route 7, Missouri Route 52/13 and Henry County Route Z
  • Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
  • Drivers should consider alternate routes during the project
  • Check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

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

This work is part of a three-year project to improve 20 bridges in seven (7) counties in west central Missouri. Of the 20 bridges in the project, known as the Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle, fourteen (14) bridges will be replaced and six (6) bridges will receive major rehabilitation work. On average, these bridges have been in place for 70 years.

More information about this project can be found on the project website - Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle.

Project Details:

  • Prime Contractor - The ESS Team
    • Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. - Columbia
    • Bartlett & West - Topeka, Kans.
  • Total Project Cost: $38 million
  • Contract Completion Date: November 15, 2027

The ESS Team is a partnership of engineering and construction firms that will design and construct the project with oversight by MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

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

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MoDOT - Missouri Department of Transportation published this content on January 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 26, 2026 at 14:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]