From: Andrew Gates, Communications Specialist, Missouri Department Of Transportation:
We wanted to give you an overview of what to expect as our contractor starts work on replacing the Big Bend bridge over I-44 – the bridge over the interstate between Kirkwood and Crestwood.
You will start to see the contractor out in the next few weeks, mostly working on curbs and sidewalk off the bridge and doing a lot of the preparatory work for the project. In March, crews will start working on widening the ramps from the interstate to Big Bend. When the contractor needs to close lanes for that work, it will typically be at night, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning, due to the levels of traffic currently in that area.
At this point, the contractor is planning to close I-44 in both directions and remove the bridge over the interstate the weekend of April 15. Interstate traffic will route up and over the ramps during the closure. More details on the closure will be shared closer to that date. There will also be a second interstate closure when the contractor places the girders over the interstate.
We’ll share more details on ramp closures or other potential impacts as they are determined. Our contractor will work with the businesses around the bridge to ensure that customers will have access during the construction project.
MODOT has more information posted on their website at:
https://www.modot.org/big-bend-over-i44
There was an informational meeting on January 19, but if you missed that they have additional PDF documents with information on that website. There is also an informational video.