Replacement of Route 96 bridges in Carthage subject of MODOT meeting

(From MODOT)

Public Meeting July 14 Will Outline Plans

To Replace Two Route 96 Bridges In Carthage

Carthage -- A project to replace two deteriorating bridges on Missouri Route 96 in Carthage will be the focus of a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 14, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The come-and-go style meeting will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at Carthage City Hall, 326 Grant Street.  The bridges are located over the MNA/BNSF railroad and at the Spring River overflow in northeast Carthage. Both bridges were built in the mid-1930s and over the past several years have experienced significant deterioration. An online public meeting also will be available and it will go “live” on Thursday afternoon for those unable to attend the in-person meeting. The plans for the project will be posted to the online meeting atwww.modot.org/southwest. Viewing Plans The in-person public meeting is open-house style. Visitors will be able come and go any time during the two hours to examine plans, talk individually with MoDOT engineers and submit comments. NO FORMAL PRESENTATION IS PLANNED. The online public meeting will contain the same information and access to plans. Visitors online can submit comments or questions via email. The Project Both bridges will be replaced with new structures. During construction, Route 96 will be CLOSED. Traffic will be detoured around the projects using Missouri Routes 96, 37, 571 and Jasper County Route E. Drivers will have access to entrances on either side of each bridge. However, drivers will NOT be able to cross the bridges during construction. The estimated total cost of the project is $4.4 million. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2017 with completion in the fall of that year.