Work starting May 3 on Ramsey Creek bridge project

Construction will begin May 3 on the U.S. 61 bridge over Ramsey Creek in Cape Girardeau County, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced recently.

Weather permitting, workers will first transport five 130-foot bridge beams to the site between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. May 3, closing southbound Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. During the bridge construction, Kingshighway will remain closed from Silver Springs Road to Highway 74 West. MoDOT said project completion is anticipated to be late June.

The Fruitland rest area on southbound Interstate 55 will be closed May 2 after the bridge beams are transported to the location.

Southeast Regional field engineer Andy Meyer said the closure is necessary because of the length and number of beams that need to be moved.

Neil Glass, Cape Girardeau Public Schools director of administrative services, said the construction won't affect the transportation of the district's students or the operations of First Student Inc., who provides bus service to the schools.

"MoDOT was very good about informing us of their plans and the possibility of alternate routes," Glass said. "I think the bus company made those provisions. The only way it would affect them is their southbound traffic, which would be their return to the bus station."

Signs and warning devices will be in place during the closure, but MoDOT still urges drivers to use caution while traveling near the area.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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