Sign at Whitecliff Entrance: PARK BRIDGE CLOSED - STARTS TUESDAY 9/3 - FIND
ALT ROUTE
Every two years, the Missouri Department of Transportation inspects six bridges in Crestwood with a span of twenty feet or more. In 2019, their inspection rated two components of the Whitecliff main bridge as “Poor”, with an overall sufficiency rating of 58% (which was on the high end of deficient). So, Crestwood began the long and involved process to replace this bridge.
Since at least one component was rated as Poor, this bridge is eligible for a federal grant as part of their Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STP). That STP grant will cover the majority of the estimated costs for the replacement. Crestwood applied for and was awarded this grant.
During the past few years, Crestwood worked with engineering firms to design all the details for the bridge and issued a request for proposals for the construction. In March of 2024, the construction project was awarded to Gershenson Construction.
Including the already-completed design costs and a 10% contingency, the total project is approximately $1.99M. The STP grant will cover about $1.24M, with Crestwood covering the remainder (about $750K).
Bridge Closed - Use ALT Route!!
Work on the bridge is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 3 (the day after Labor Day). This date was selected to avoid disrupting the busy swim season at the Aquatic Center, but also to ensure it is completed before work begins on the new Community Center in early summer of 2025. The city’s contract with Gershenson states that all work must be completed by May 3, 2025.
During the construction period, the bridge will be closed, and a detour route will be posted. That route will follow Pardee Road to Pardee Spur, Cordoba Lane, and Vauk Lane to the temporary entrance/exit at the upper parking lot. Drivers coming from Sappington will likely find their own route, probably via Garber, Queenston, and Penant, or Pine Spray, Lawndale, and Ewers.
Pedestrian and cycling traffic can navigate around the bridge via the gravel path that leads towards the quarry, and up the hill to the community center. The plans specify to keep access to the lower lot (and thus the quarry) available at all times. I anticipate constructon will block access from time to time, but the plan is to keep the lower lot open as much as possible.
Please Drive Slow
Residents living along the detour route and the other informal routes to the temporary park entrance will surely see an increase in drivers on their streets. Crestwood Police has been proactively using equipment to measure and log traffic volume and speed data along these official and unofficial routes for several weeks before the bridge closes.
After the bridge closes they will continue to monitor traffic volume and speed. If issues are found, they will evaluate if additional signage, patrols, or other measures are needed. We’ll see how this goes. The detour goes right by my house, so I’ll have a front row view of things!
A Few More Maps
Here are the Detour Maps that Crestwood Parks and Recreation Department has been posting on social media and handing out to guests.
For GPS Directions, use 9255 VAUK LANE as your destination.
