If you’re driving across a bridge in Missouri right now, there’s a one in 30 chance that it’s in serious need of repair or replacing altogether. KSMU’s Kristian Kriner reports on the new signs indicating which of Missouri’s bridge are in bad shape.
The Missouri Department of Transportation or MODOT has started the “Safe and Sound” program to repair or rebuild 800 bridges across Missouri.
According to MODOT, contractors are already repairing six bridges near St. Louis and Kansas City.
Each of the 800 bridges needing work will have a “Safe and Sound” sign beside it to inform drivers of its condition.
Bob Brendel is the outreach coordinator for MODOT.
“Most of these bridges are small bridges in rural locations. Generally, they are just old. Some of them need to be repaired and some of them need to be replaced. They will likely be closed during construction and people should start thinking about what they should, how they will cope with that closure when it happens,” Brendel said.
Brendel says there is at least one bridge in every county in Missouri needing repair.
“These bridges are safe today. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be open. But they are bridges that need attention and they’re going to get that in this program over the next five years,” Brendel said.
Brendel says all the bridges should be finished by 2014.
For KSMU News, I’m Kristian Kriner.
