A public open house to discuss a planned bridge replacement on Missouri Route 5 over Bear Creek in Glasgow has been rescheduled for Jan. 30. It was originally slated for Jan. 9, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

The open-house style meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion at 705 Washington Street in Glasgow. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come and go at any time during the advertised hours.

Those unable to attend may still participate by visiting the project page on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s website (modot.org), which includes proposed construction plans. The website allows visitors to provide input and ask questions of the MoDOT designers and engineers.

Project materials will be available for viewing both at the in-person meeting and online. The public is invited and encouraged to offer input at the meeting or at any time during the two-week comment period that ends on Jan. 23.

This project has an estimated cost of $2.9 million and is scheduled to begin as early as July 2024. Construction should last approximately four months, according to MoDOT.

The bridge will be completely replaced. The project is currently scheduled to be part of MoDOT’s May 2024 letting when contractors may submit competitive bids. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may award the contract as part of their June 2024 meeting and, if the contract is awarded, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.

The roadway is expected to remain open during construction, though some lane closures with narrowed lanes may be necessary.

Other bridge work in Howard County includes a rehabilitation of the Bonne Femme Creek Bridge on Route P in New Franklin, which carries approximately 650 vehicles per day. The supporting structures of the bridge are in good condition, but the deck of the bridge has deteriorated to the point it needs to be replaced. During the project, the bridge will be widened from 22 feet to 24 feet. The bridge will be closed during the project and motorists will need to use alternate routes.

The estimated total cost is $910,000. The project is still in the planning phase, and no construction date has been announced. 

Work includes replacing the bridge deck, bridge painting, tapering existing roadway shoulders to meet the new bridge and adding new guardrail.