Contract awarded for replacing bridge taken down by trains

ROCKVIEW, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Transportation awarded a contract for an emergency bridge replacement on Route M in Scott County.

The bridge collapsed May 25 after the collision of a Union Pacific train and Burlington Northern Santa Fe train.

The $2,319,363 contract was awarded to Goodwin Brothers Construction Co. of Festus, Mo., according to a news release from MoDOT.

"Goodwin Brothers has started mobilizing equipment," Brian Holt, MoDOT resident engineer, said in the news release. "Crews will begin surveying [today] and work on the replacement structure will begin Wednesday."

The project will be completed by Aug. 31, the news release said. MoDOT will notify motorists of any changes in traffic.

Holt said the date falls in line with MoDOT's goal to have the overpass open to automobile traffic again by early September. Both Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe have repaired the tracks damaged in the collision and are running trains in the area. Holt said he has received no information indicating whether the railroad companies will pay for the project.

Preliminary data in a National Transportation Safety Board investigation found the Union Pacific train likely went through a stop signal before colliding with the Burlington Northern train. Seven people were injured, but none seriously.

NTSB spokesman Terry Williams said the investigation is ongoing and is expected to take about a year. He said there have been no updates to indicate who, if anyone, was at fault.

Pertinent address:

Rockview, Mo.