The type of concrete used to build the original Route B bridge in Cole County is causing MoDOT and the contractor on the rehabilitation job to take a different approach to fixing the bridge.
According to a press release, the high-pressure water blasting method being used to remove the deteriorated concrete has caused the removal of more material than expected and is requiring MoDOT to take a different approach to rehabilitating the bridge deck.
In the meantime, work on the bridge has been suspended, but MoDOT officials say there is no intention of closing the bridge entirely, and the bridge remains safe for travel.
"The original bridge deck was constructed out of lightweight concrete, which behaves differently under the water blasting technique being used to remove deteriorated portions of the deck," said Central District Construction and Materials Engineer Patty Lemongelli. "Unfortunately, we didn't realize this factor until the work began."
Lemongelli said MoDOT is moving quickly to provide the contractor with a different approach to performing the work. She said the revision should not significantly impact the project's completion date, which is scheduled for this fall.