KC Southern Bridge on Range Line to be closed

(From MODOT)

Range Line Road/KC Southern RR Bridge CLOSED in Joplin Beginning the Week of July 18 for Replacement

Drivers should look for alternate routes when the Range Line Road (Business Loop 49) bridge over the Kansas City Southern Railroad CLOSES for up to 87 days beginning the week of July 18, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

Contractor crews will remove the current bridge and replace it with a new structure that will be two (2) feet higher and 15 feet wider than the current one. The contractor also will construct new sidewalks on either side of the bridge.

The current structure was built in 1976 and is experiencing increasing deterioration. Approximately 24,580 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

Traffic impacts

All lanes of Range Line Road (Business Loop 49) over the railroad tracks will be CLOSED beginning the week of July 18 for the duration of the project

Drivers will have access to entrances on either end of the bridge, but will not be able to drive through the work zone

Drivers will be directed along a signed detour using 32nd Street (Jasper County Route FF), Missouri Route 249, 7th Street (Missouri Route 66) and I-44

Signs and message boards will alert drivers to the bridge closing

Bridge will be reopened to traffic no later than November 1, 2022

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Project information

Prime contractor: Hartman & Company Inc., Springfield
Total project cost: $6.2 million
Contract completion date: December 1, 2022 (bridge will reopen to traffic no later than November 1, 2022)