Bridge repairs on I-44 may cause delays starting next week

Drivers can expect traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and traffic shifts on I-44 at the railroad bridge near Sarcoxie and at Goose Creek/Turnback Creek near Halltown starting the week of March 16, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Work is resuming on a larger project to replace or rehabilitate 19 bridges along a 30-mile stretch of I-44 between Sarcoxie and Halltown.

Beginning the week of March 16, drivers can expect:

• I-44 traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the eastbound lanes near Sarcoxie (Mile Marker 29)
• Jasper County Route U ramp to westbound I-44 CLOSED (Exit 29)
• I-44 traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the westbound lanes near Halltown (Mile Marker 56)

Drivers also can expect major delays in both locations during heavy traffic volume times. If major backups occur in either work zone, traffic may be diverted to signed detours. Drivers should consider alternate routes around the work zones.

Weather and/or unforeseen delays will alter the work schedule.

There will be ongoing lane closings, traffic shifts and traffic impacts on I-44 between Sarcoxie and Halltown throughout 2020. MoDOT will provide continued project updates throughout the year as the bridge project progresses.

Contractor crews will replace or rehabilitate the following bridges in 2020:

• Eastbound and westbound bridges over Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad tracks near Sarcoxie (Mile Marker 29.2)
• Eastbound and westbound bridges over Center Creek near Sarcoxie (Mile Marker 29.4)
• Westbound bridge over Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad tracks west of Mount Vernon (Mile Marker 43.2)
• Westbound bridge over Spring River west of Mt. Vernon (Mile Marker 43.4)
• Westbound bridge over Lawrence County Route H in Mt. Vernon (Mile Marker 44.3)
• Eastbound and westbound bridges over Goose Creek near Halltown (Mile Marker 56.1)
• Eastbound and westbound bridges over Turnback Creek near Halltown (Mile Marker 56.7)
• Eastbound and westbound bridges over Missouri Route 96 near Halltown (Mile Marker 58)

Project Background:

• I-44 Project Bridge Rebuild will replace or rehabilitate 19 bridges on I-44 between Sarcoxie and Halltown
• In 2019, the contractor replaced or rehabilitated six (6) bridges along I-44
• Some existing bridges are original to the construction of I-44 in the 1960s and are deteriorating and need replacement or rehabilitation
• Project completion date is December 15, 2021. However, the contractor has set a goal to have all major bridge work completed by the end of 2020.
• Project website/sign up for project updates I-44 Project Bridge Rebuild.