TRAFFIC ALERT: I-49 Reduced to One Lane in Each Direction in Bates Co. Beginning Week of Oct. 26

Where: I-49 near Mormon Creek (Mile Marker 145.8) south of Archie in Bates County

When: Beginning week of October 26 for up to one month

What: Contractor crews building crossover lanes in the median in preparation of bridge work scheduled to begin in Spring 2027

Traffic Impacts:

• I-49 reduced to one lane in each direction approximately one half mile on either side of Mormon Creek (Mile Marker 145.8)
• Speed limit reduced to 60 mph through the work zone
• Drivers should expect slowed traffic and delays
• Drivers are urged to watch for crews and equipment entering and exiting the work zone
• Once construction of crossover lanes is completed all lanes of I-49 will re-open to traffic ahead of bridge work scheduled to begin Spring 2027
• No signed detours
• Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
• Drivers should consider alternate routes
• 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 . To receive the latest news and text alerts, sign up for e-updates .

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