Route O in St. Francois County will be closed for bridge work

Improvements will be made to Koen Creek Bridge as part of the Safe and Sound Program

In September, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved plans to improve more than 800 of the state’s lowest rated bridges within the next five years.  There are 86 bridges in the Southeast District that are currently in “Safe and Sound” program. These bridges will be identified throughout Southeast Missouri with the “Safe and Sound” logo signs near the bridges. These “Safe and Sound” signs identify these bridges as being some of Southeast District’s poorest condition bridges, but these bridges will be repaired or replaced within the next five years. 

Work on one of the Safe and Sound bridge projects, Route O Koen Creek Bridge in St. Francois County, will begin April 13 at 6:30 a.m., weather permitting.  Route O will be closed from US 67 to Rosener Road as the bridge deck is replaced. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by this June. 

Like most Safe and Sound projects, the bridge will remain closed for the duration of the work, including weekends — it’s quicker and more cost-efficient to do it all at once. 

Signs and warning devices will be in place. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.