TRAFFIC ALERT: Route 66/I-44 bridge in Joplin OPEN following rehabilitation

Good news for Joplin drivers, the eastbound Route 66/Loop 44 bridge over I-44 east of Joplin is NOW OPEN.

When: As of 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 25

Details: This bridge closed in July while contractor crews repaired the existing bridge deck and overlayed it with a new driving surface. In addition, the contractor added new guardrail at the ends of the bridge as well as new permanent striping.

This work is part of a three-year project to improve 25 bridges within 15 miles of I-44 across the Southwest District. Of the 25 bridges in the project, known as the I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle, seven (7) are mainline I-44 bridges, five (5) are I-44 overpass bridges and the remaining bridges are on adjacent routes over various features. Sixteen (16) bridges will be replaced and nine (9) bridges will receive major rehabilitation work.

More information about this project can be found on the project website – I-44 Corridor Bridge Bundle.

Project Details:

• Prime Contractor – The ESS Team
  • Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Columbia
  • Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. – St. Louis
• Total Project Cost: $43.2 million
• Contract Completion Date: September 30, 2024

The ESS Team is a partnership of engineering and construction firms that will design and construct the project with oversight by MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.