MoDOT picks contractor to replace Gene Field Road bridge in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A Kansas City-based contractor has been selected to replace the Gene Field Road Bridge as project crews now prepare to kick off construction as early as this week.
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Clarkson Construction Company was awarded the bid Jan. 9 to carry out the emergency bridge replacement project on Gene Field Road in St. Joseph, a $5.5 million project according to MoDOT.
MoDOT is now working with the contractor to establish a timeline to replace the bridge after it was struck by an oversized load on Nov. 10 and forced to close, impacting thousands of St. Joseph drivers.
The earliest construction may begin is Friday, Jan. 16. The goal -- weather permitting -- is to complete the 63-year-old bridge replacement project in July.
An evaluation carried out on the bridge in November showed the crash was significant enough to cause one of the four main support girders to separate from the bridge deck, compromising its structural integrity.
MoDOT was able to get the project declared an emergency through the state to help expedite funds and move it forward. Prior to the collision, the aging bridge was originally scheduled to be replaced in 2027.
Traffic data shows roughly 6,500 vehicles use the Gene Field Road bridge every day, a vital east-to-west corridor for residents. The closure has had a considerable impact on traffic volume along routes like Frederick Avenue.
More information on the upcoming project can be found on the project webpage at:Â https://www.modot.org/projects/gene-field-road-bridge-replacement-over-interstate-29-buchanan-county.Â
Similar to the 2024 bridge rehabilitation project on Cook Road over Interstate 29, the highway is expected to be closed during certain portions of the Gene Field Road bridge replacement project, with future detour routes planned for Interstate 229 and Route 36.
Designs show the new bridge will be expanded slightly from 22 feet to 26 feet, including concrete barriers and new 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, a boost for pedestrian safety.
