Removal of Bridges to Close Whitton Expressway Weekend of Feb. 6

Drivers planning to travel through Jefferson City on the Rex Whitton Expressway portion of U.S. Route 50 will have to make alternate plans on the weekend of Feb. 6

to allow for the removal of two bridges.

The work is taking place as part of the Lafayette Street Interchange project, a two-year, $20.3-million project to improve safety and traffic flow along Route 50. This project includes building a new interchange at Route 50 and Lafayette Street; adding a lane in each direction on the Whitton Expressway from Monroe Street to Lafayette Street and from Lafayette to Clark Avenue; and improvements to six bridges along the corridor.

Route 50 (Whitton Expressway) West in Jefferson City will be closed from Clark Avenue to Monroe Street and Route 50 East will be closed from Madison Street to Clark Avenue to remove the Jackson Street and Chestnut Street bridges, which carry vehicles over the expressway. The Route 50 closure will take place from 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 until 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9.

Motorists, particularly those who drive large trucks, traveling both directions on Route 50 are advised to use the following detours during the closure:

· Traveling East: Detour to Route 54 to Route B to Wardsville to Route M through Taos and back to Route 50.

· Traveling West: Detour to Route M through Taos and Wardsville to Route B to Route 54 back to Route 50.

Signs will lead motorists through the detours during the closure. Electronic message boards will be placed along the route in advance of the closure to inform motorists of the closure and the detours.

Both bridges will also be closed in preparation for their removal and replacement. The Jackson Street bridge will close at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 and will remain closed until completion in the fall of 2016. The Chestnut Street bridge will close at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 and will remain closed until completion in June of this year.

“Contractors will be working around the clock to remove the bridges and reopen the expressway as soon as possible,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Terry Imhoff. “As a result, residents in the area will experience some noise over the weekend. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the public while we complete this part of the project.”

All work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions.

Removal of Bridges to Close Whitton Expressway Weekend of Feb. 6