Route E Bridge replacement scheduled for this Fall

The contract for the replacement of the Route E Bridge across the St. Francois River has been awarded to Widel Inc., of Blackwater, Missouri. The contract amount was $1,544,856.

The project will include replacing the Route E Bridge over the St. Francis River, as well as grading and paving 7.5 miles west of Route 67.

Traffic will use the existing bridge as construction of the new bridge is underway.

The existing structure is a 20 foot wide truss bridge. It was constructed in 1936 by James R. Hancock. The bridge is 346 feet long. It consists of two, six panel Pratt through trusses.

The new structure will be 28-feet wide to allow more clearance on both sides. Motorists will use the existing bridge, as construction of the new bridge is underway.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, construction could begin as early as August 2012. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2013.