I-72 Mark Twain Memorial Bridge at Hannibal closes Friday, May 30, for repairs
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
David Camphouse/Pike Press
Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) officials announced the May 30 closure of the Interstate 72/U.S. 36 Mark Twain Memorial Bridge at Hannibal. According to a MODOT release, the bridge is scheduled to close for up to 30 days while structural repairs are completed. Prior to the complete closure of the bridge, traffic was already reduced to one lane in each direction. Preliminary work on the bridge rehabilitation project began the week of May 11. Eastbound and westbound I-72/U.S. 36 over the bridge remains reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction in place until the complete closure on May 30.
Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) officials announced the May 30 closure of the Interstate 72/U.S. 36 Mark Twain Memorial Bridge at Hannibal. According to a MODOT release, the bridge is scheduled to close for up to 30 days while structural repairs are completed.
Prior to the complete closure of the bridge, traffic was already reduced to one lane in each direction. Preliminary work on the bridge rehabilitation project began the week of May 11. Eastbound and westbound I-72/U.S. 36 over the bridge remains reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction in place until the complete closure on May 30.
According to MODOT, the full scope of the bridge repairs cannot be completed under traffic. Therefore, a complete closure of the route is necessary.
MODOT stated that it issued an emergency contract and is working with the contractor to expedite the repair work as much as possible to reduce the interruption of traffic and commerce between Illinois and Missouri.
The emergency contract includes incentives to the contractor, designed to encourage speedy completion of the bridge repairs. The incentives would kick in should the crews restore one lane of traffic in each direction earlier than 25 days. Additionally, the MODOT release stated that crews will be working two shifts to expedite the completion of the work.
Repairs are necessary, according to MODOT, to prevent further deterioration of the bridge during the summer months. Heat contributes to increased stress on the bridge, which may widen existing cracks and create new ones. The closure period is dependent on weather and any issues that may arise during this work.
During the closure, traffic will be detoured to cross the Mississippi River at West Quincy. Travelers in Missouri will utilize U.S. Route 61 to U.S. Route 24 to West Quincy. Motorists in Illinois will use Interstate 72 to Interstate 172 to Illinois 104 to reach Missouri. Message boards and signs will be in place in Illinois and Missouri to alert motorists of the closure with signed detours.
For more information on this project, residents are directed to contact Gerri Jeffries, Missouri Department of Transportation, at [email protected].
MODOT encourages motorists to stay informed about road repairs and conditions by checking the MODOT Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org.
