Two road work contracts awarded, one rejected by state highway commission

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded two major contracts in the region at its regular meeting Wednesday, while a contract for a third project in Cape Girardeau was rejected because the bids were higher than expected.

The first contract was awarded for improvements to Interstate 55, Interstate 57 and U.S. 60 in Butler, Cape Girardeau, Perry, Pemiscot, Scott, New Madrid and Mississippi counties, according to a MoDOT news release. The contract also includes Texas and Howell counties.

The $733,778 contract was awarded to Gerstner Electric Inc. of Fenton, Mo. Work to install dynamic message signs and closed-circuit TVs along interstates 51 and 57 and U.S. 60 is set to begin as early as later this month.

The signs are used to provide real-time traffic information, and the closed-circuit TVs monitor traffic flow and help manage traffic accidents.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The effect on traffic will be minimal, with most of the work taking place on the shoulders.

A $249,950 contract was also awarded to J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co. of Eureka, Mo., for improvements to Route H in Scott County. The construction of a bridge to replace Blue Ditch Bridge on Route H southeast of Lambert, Mo., is expected to begin later this summer.

The original start date was summer 2010, but it has been accelerated to be coordinated with the local drainage district's ongoing maintenance of Blue Ditch.

The new bridge will be a three-barrel concrete culvert and will accommodate two-way traffic. It is expected to be completed by the end of August.

However, the commission rejected a contract for improvements to Route W in Cape Girardeau County. The two bids received for the project were rejected because they were higher than anticipated and exceeded the MoDOT budget for the project. Bids for the project are expected to reopen in September.

When the bid is awarded, improvements will extend from Lexington Avenue to the new LaSalle Avenue. The project includes resurfacing, shoulder improvements, adding center line and edge line rumble strips, improving the intersections at County Road 620 and Perryville Road and improving drainage structures.

To improve drainage structures, the box culvert three-tenths a mile south of County Road 618 will be replaced. The box culvert near the County Road 620 intersection on Cape LaCroix Creek will be extended to allow the roadway to be widened.

As the culverts near county roads 618 and 620 are worked on, the road will be closed for about two weeks for each project. The closures will not occur at the same time. Work is anticipated to begin in the spring, with a completion date in winter 2010.