Project to Rehabilitate I-49 Bridges in Vernon County to Begin Week of May 26 for Rehabilitation

Vernon County - A project to rehabilitate several I-49 bridges in Vernon County is scheduled to begin the week of May 26, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

These are the bridges included in the first phase of the project:

• Southbound I-49 over U.S. Route 54 and the Missouri and Northern Arkansas (MNA) Railroad in Nevada
• Southbound I-49 over Vernon County Route K in Nevada
• Southbound I-49 over Douglas Branch north of Nevada

Crews will repair the existing bridge decks and overlay them with a new driving surface. In addition, the contractor will add new barrier walls, guardrail at the ends of the bridges as well as new permanent pavement striping.

Once these bridges are complete, all lanes will be re-opened to traffic and the contractor will shut down for the winter. This work is part of a larger project that includes rehabilitating the northbound bridges over Route K and Route 54/MNA Railroad, as well as the southbound I-49 bridges over the Little Osage River and the Little Osage Overflow. The contractor will return in early 2027 to complete the project.

These bridges were all built in 1969 or 1970 and are in a deteriorating condition. All have at least 11,000 vehicles crossing them daily.

Traffic Impacts:

• Beginning the week of May 26, north- and southbound passing (left) lanes over Route K and Route 54/MNA Railroad closed for construction of crossover lanes
• In early June a second crossover will be constructed ahead of work on the Douglas Branch bridge
• On completion of the crossover lanes, I-49 traffic will be shifted head-to-head in the northbound lanes while contractor crews rehabilitate the southbound bridges
• One lane will remain open in each direction at all times
• Speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph through the work zone
• Drivers should expect delays during high traffic volume times
• No signed detours
• 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.

Project Details:

• Prime Contractor - Capital Paving & Construction LLC, Jefferson City
• Total Project Cost: $10.1 million
• Contract Completion Date: December 1, 2027

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

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