Bridge rehabilitation project beginning Feb. 23 to close Missouri Route 6 at U.S. 24/61 near Taylor

TAYLOR, Mo. — During the week of Feb. 23, the Missouri Department of Transportation, working with its contractor, will begin work on a bridge rehabilitation project on Missouri Route 6 over U.S. Routes 24/61, 7.6 miles north of Route 168, near Taylor in Marion County.

This project will repair damage to the superstructure caused by recent traffic incidents and increase the vertical clearance of the new bridge. Motorists can expect various traffic impacts and delays during the course of the project including:

Beginning Feb. 26, Missouri Route 6 will be closed for the duration of the project beginning at the west end of the bridge to just east of the bridge, including all ramps on the east side of the interchange.

The ramps on the west side of the interchange will remain open allowing:

• Access to westbound Missouri Route 6 from southbound U.S. 24/61
• Access to southbound U.S. 24/61 from eastbound Missouri Route 6

A signed detour will be in place from U.S. 61 to Route V, though Maywood, to Missouri Route 6 to assist motorists in reaching their destinations.

A temporary 24-hour closure of U.S. 24/61 will be needed to facilitate the removal of the existing Missouri Route 6 bridge. This work is tentatively scheduled to begin Saturday, March 1, at 8 p.m. and continue to Sunday, March 2, at 8 p.m. All U.S. 24/61 traffic will be diverted up and over the existing interchange ramps.  There will be no access to Missouri Route 6 from U.S. 61, as no turns will be allowed at the ramp terminals.

Once the bridge removal is complete, construction will begin on the new bridge. Motorists can expect the following traffic impacts:

• U.S. 24/61 (northbound/southbound) traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and include a 12-foot width restriction through the work zone.
• U.S. 24/61 (Northbound) to Missouri Route 6 traffic will utilize the signed detour over Route V though Maywood to reach Missouri Route 6.
• U.S. 61 northbound ramps, on the east side of the interchange, will be closed to all traffic.
• U.S. 61 southbound ramps, on the west side of the interchange, will be remain open to all traffic.
• Missouri Route 6 to U.S. 24/61 southbound traffic will continue to utilize the U.S. 24/61 on-ramp.
• U.S. 24/61 will have late night road closures while crews set bridge beams in place. These closures will be short-term, lasting up to 15 minutes, and occur between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

The $1.8 million contract was awarded last year to Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. of Columbia. Construction is estimated to be completed by mid-May. All work is weather dependent. Schedules are subject to change.

Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists as schedule changes occur. MoDOT will alert the public about the project through signs, news releases and social media.