More Missouri bridges fall into 'critical' condition

The number of bridges in "critical" condition in Missouri is on the rise.

After the latest round of inspections, the number of bridges needing attention has risen to 641, up 50 from a year ago, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Bridges in Missouri are evaluated every two years, Nicole Theiret, communications manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation's Southeast District, said in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

"If they are in critical condition, they are evaluated once every year," Theiret wrote.

A bridge categorized as "critical" doesn't necessarily mean it is unsafe to drive on, the news release said.

"Obviously we do not leave any bridges open that are found to be unsafe," Theiret wrote. "Critical means that the bridge is deteriorating at a rapid pace and could be load-posted or closed in the near future."

How long a bridge remains on the critical list without being closed "depends on the bridge and what specifically is wrong," according to Theiret.

Several bridges in Southeast Missouri are on the "critical" list.

In Cape Girardeau County, bridges over Drainage Ditch No. 8, Hubble Creek, Interstate 55, Little Indian Creek, Little Apple Creek, Little River and Route DD, Poor Creek, U.S. 61 and the Whitewater River are considered in critical condition.

Among bridges on the list in Scott County are those over Caney Creek, Ramsey Creek, St. Johns Drainage Ditch and several other drainage ditches.

Also on the list are the Indian Creek and the Mississippi River/Union Pacific Railroad bridges in Perry County and the Brush, Cane, Hurricane and Little Crooked creek bridges in Bollinger County.

The Mississippi River Bridge on Highway 51 in Perry County is scheduled for bridge deck repair in 2018, Theiret said.

State bridge engineer Dennis Heckman said the increase in bridges reaching "critical" status likely will continue, according to the release.

"When we completed the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program in 2012, we stemmed the tide for a while," he said. "But we knew that the curve would start going up again. Safe & Sound made a dent; however, it did not repair or replace all of the state's bad bridges. Now with a shrinking construction budget, the number of bad bridges is on the rise again."

Four Missouri bridges have been closed unexpectedly because of problems found, the release said. They are in Macon, Laclede, Scotland and Lincoln counties.

"To get ahead of the game, we should be replacing more than 100 bridges per year," Heckman said. "Instead, our funding levels are only allowing us to replace about 30."

Heckman predicted there will be about 1,500 bridges listed as critical in 10 years.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

Macon County, MO

Lincoln County, MO

Laclede County, MO

Scotland County, MO

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Area bridges in critical condition

Area bridges in critical condition

• Cape Girardeau County: Drainage Ditch No. 8, Route NN; Hubble Creek, Highway 25; Interstate 55, U.S. 61; Little Indian Creek, Route V; Little Apple Creek, Route KK; Little River/Route DD, Route KK; Poor Creek, U.S. 61; U.S. 61, I-55 south; and Whitewater River, Route A.
• Bollinger County: Brush Creek, Route P; Cane Creek, Route FF; Hurricane Creek, Route CC; and Little Crooked Creek, Route ZZ.
• Scott County: Caney Creek, Route A; drainage ditch, Route O; Drainage Ditch No. 1, Highway 77; Drainage Ditch No. 35, Highway 91; Drainage Ditch No. 289, Route W; Drainage Ditch No. 291, Highway 91; Ramsey Creek, Route PP; and St. Johns Drainage Ditch, Route U.
• Perry County: Indian Creek, Route A; and Mississippi River/Union Pacific Railroad, Highway 51.

Source: Missouri Department of Transportation