Districts Impacted
Project Summary
The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to rehabilitate five Phelps County bridges that cross Interstate 44 next year. Routes E, J, D, Kingshighway and County Road 8490 over I-44 are all in need of repair. Information about each structure, and the planned repairs, are outlined below:
- Built in 1984.
- The cantilevered sidewalk attached to the bridge had been closed for some time and needs to be removed. Removing the sidewalk eliminates the risk for the deteriorating sidewalk to fall on I-44 below.
- Approximately 42 calendar days of construction.
Route E is expected to remain open during construction.Occasional, single-lane short-term closures on I-44 and Route E may be necessary.
- As the project moved further through the design process, it was determined that the roadway would close up to 42 calendar days for construction. That closure is scheduled to begin in late October 2025, with the bridge expected to reopen by the end of the year.
- The total cost, including engineering and construction, is estimated to be $266,000 subject to change.
- Built in 1966.
- The driving surface of the bridge has deteriorated, and needs replaced. Also included in the plans is milling and replacing the pavement approaching each end of the bridge, modifying the curbs and replacing guardrail at each end of the bridge.
Approximately40 calendardays of construction.- As the project moved through the design process, it was determined the contractor would be allowed up to 54 calendar days for construction.
- The current plan is to close the bridge during construction, scheduled to begin in early 2026. A detour will be signed using Exit 179 to the east and Exit 172 to the west.
- The total cost, including engineering and construction, is estimated to be $698,000, subject to change.
- Built in 1966.
- The driving surface of the bridge has deteriorated, and needs replaced. Also included in the plans is milling and replacing the pavement approaching each end of the bridge, modifying the curbs and replacing guardrail at each end of the bridge.
- Approximately
4050 calendar days of construction. The allowed length of closure was extended as the project moved through the design process. - The current plan is to close the bridge during construction in March 2026, and reopen it at the end of April 2026. A detour will be signed using Exit 172 to the east and Exit 163 to the west.
- The total cost, including engineering and construction, is estimated to be $670,000, subject to change.
- Built in 1966.
- The driving surface of the bridge has deteriorated, and needs replaced. Also included in the plans is milling and replacing the pavement approaching each end of the bridge, modifying the curbs and replacing guardrail at each end of the bridge.
- Approximately
4569 calendar days of construction. The allowed length of closure was extended as the project moved through the design process. - The current plan is to close the bridge during construction on Aug. 25, 2025, and reopen the roadway at the end of October. A detour will be signed using Exit 176 and Exit 169, depending on direction of travel.
- The total cost, including engineering and construction, is estimated to be $889,000, subject to change.
- Built in 1964.
- The driving surface of the bridge has deteriorated, and needs replaced, along with other minor bridge repairs. Also included in the plans is milling and replacing the pavement approaching each end of the bridge and replacing guardrail at two of the four corners of the bridge.
- Approximately
138156 calendar days of construction. The allowed length of closure was extended as the project moved through the design process. - The current plan is to keep the bridge open to eastbound traffic during construction, which is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and continue through September 2026. Westbound traffic will detour on eastbound I-44 to Exit 183 (U.S. Route 63), then cross the interstate and return westbound to Exit 184.
- The total cost, including engineering and construction, is estimated to be $1,005,000, subject to change.
Decks Current Condition
County Road 8490 Deck View
Route J Deck View
Route D Deck View
Project Progress
Projects to rehabilitate the five bridges are currently being designed by the Missouri Department of Transportation and its consultants.
MoDOT hosted an in person public meeting for this project on Oct. 24, 2024, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Rolla City Hall located at 901 E. Elm St., Rolla, MO, 65401. Attendees came and went at any time during those hours as there is no formal presentation. The public comment period ran from Oct. 17, 2024 through November 7.
The project was part of MoDOT's March 2025 letting when contractors submitted competitive bids. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may award the contract as part of their April 2025 meeting. If the contract is awarded, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.
STARTING SOON
- Phelps County: Route D, approximately 7 miles southwest of Doolittle.
- Closing Aug. 25 with a signed detour: Use I-44 to either Exit 169 (Phelps County Route J) to access the north outer road or Exit 176 (County Road 8490/Sugar Tree Road), then cross I-44 and return westbound to Exit 172 at Route D and the north outer road.After construction begins, each project will have calendar day limitations for construction as noted above.
OTHER BRIDGES
- Phelps County Route E in Rolla – expected to close for sidewalk removal in late October 2025.
- Phelps County Road 8490 (Sugar Tree Road) 3 miles west of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation in February 2026.
- Phelps County Route J 10 miles southwest of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation in March 2026.
- Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Kingshighway in Rolla – expected to narrow to one lane in April 2026 for rehabilitation. One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained across the bridge through construction. Westbound traffic will detour to eastbound I-44 to Exit 183 (U.S. Route 63), then cross the interstate and return westbound to Exit 184.
All work is expected to be complete by the end of September 2026. As with all roadwork, schedules are subject to change.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is MoDOT working on these bridges?
For four of the bridges, it is to extend their expected useful life. By rehabilitating the decks of these bridges on Routes D and J, County Road 8490 and Business U.S. 44 (Kingshighway), whose decks are in poor condition, motorists can continue to use these bridges for years to come. For Route E, a no-longer-used sidewalk that is attached to the bridge will be removed for safety, and the places where the sidewalk had been attached will be treated.
How and when will traffic be affected?
All work is weather permitting and subject to change. As of Aug. 6, 2025, the contractor's planned schedule of work is as follows:
- Phelps County: Route D, approximately 7 miles southwest of Doolittle is expected to close Aug. 25 - the end of October 2025. A signed detour will direct motorists to use I-44 to either Exit 169 (Phelps County Route J) to access the north outer road or Exit 176 (County Road 8490/Sugar Tree Road), then cross I-44 and return westbound to Exit 172 at Route D and the north outer road.
- Phelps County Route E in Rolla – expected to close for sidewalk removal in late October 2025 and reopen by the end of the year.
- Phelps County Road 8490 (Sugar Tree Road) 3 miles west of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation in February 2026 and reopen at the end of April 2026.
- Phelps County Route J 10 miles southwest of Doolittle – expected to close for rehabilitation in the beginning of March 2026 and reopen at the end of April 2026.
- Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Kingshighway in Rolla – expected to narrow to one lane in April 2026 for rehabilitation. One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained across the bridge through construction. Westbound traffic will detour to eastbound I-44 to Exit 183 (U.S. Route 63), then cross the interstate and return westbound to Exit 184. Work at Kingshighway is expected to continue through September 2026.
What if I have more questions?
You may email cdcr@modot.mo.gov or call us at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference Phelps County Bridge Bundle over I-44 Project on your inquiries.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
Project News
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MoDOT seeking input on several Phelps County bridge projects
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 17, 2024
MoDOT is hosting a public meeting regarding four bridges in Phelps County next week. These bridges are scheduled for rehabilitation in 2025 and three will be closed during construction. Please come visit with...