JEFFERSON CITY , M o . - The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking community feedback on 2027 plans to rehabilitate two bridges over Interstate 44 in southwest Laclede County. A three-week comment period kic ks off next week, which include s an in-person public meeting on Oct. 22 in Conway.

The Laclede County Route J bridge over I-44 in Conway , built in 1967, is set to have the deck replaced. T he supporting structure s are in good condition, while the driving surface has deteriorated. To extend the life of the Dove Road bridge over I-44 in Caffeyville , built in 1978, proposed improvements include joint and deck repairs and a concrete overlay.

Community input is essential to help guide the design and construction process . B y commenting, questioning, and providing insight during the in-person meeting and the three-week comment period.

An open-house style public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Laclede County R-1 Junior High/Senior High Library located at 726 W . Jefferson Ave nue in Conway . Attendees may come and go as they please at any time from 4:30 to 6 p.m., as there will be no formal presentation. The project team will be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and receive input about the project . The meeting exhibits will also be available online .

In addition to the public meeting, there will be a t hree -week comment period running Oct. 15 - Nov. 5, 2026 . Input can be submitted online through a form on the project webpage, emailed to [email protected] , or mailed to Bridge Rehabilitations over I-44 in Laclede County , c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by Nov. 5, 2026 .

More details are available about the project s here: https://www.modot.org/projects/route-j-bridge-deck-replacement-over-interstate-44-laclede-county and https://www.modot.org/projects/missouri-route-dove-road-bridge-rehabilitation-over-interstate-44-laclede-county . While there, users may sign up to receive project-specific updates.

MoDOT is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation or translation services, please contact MoDOT by Friday, Oct. 16 , by calling 573-522-5178 or by emailing [email protected] , so arrangements can be made.

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.

For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/ or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media:

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