Route M overpass construction on schedule despite rain

ROCKVIEW, Mo. -- Construction of the Route M overpass in Scott County, which was destroyed in May in a train crash, was not delayed by last week's deluge.

Missouri Department of Transportation officials accepted project bids June 28 and by July 1 awarded a $2,319,363 contract for an emergency bridge replacement to Goodwin Brothers Construction Co. It also granted the contractors early notice to proceed in order to begin construction as soon as possible.

Brian Holt, resident engineer with MoDOT, said the rain has made continuing construction difficult and everything still is on schedule.

"They plan on pouring the bridge deck next Friday, and as long as that's done on time, things should stay on schedule," he said.

Initially, MoDOT officials estimated construction would be completed and the bridge open by early September. Holt said if all goes smoothly these final weeks, the construction could be completed by Aug. 30 or 31.

The fact that there have been no delays in the project "has been surprising," he said. While the rain did cause some problems for the contractors as they tried to set girders and support beams for the new bridge, he said crews so far have been able to work around the rainfall.

Holt said he has been pleased with the work the contractors have done on such a tight deadline.

"They've done a very good job and have done well keeping up with schedules and hitting all the milestone dates," he said.

The previous overpass collapsed after a Union Pacific train struck the side of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train and some of the derailed cars struck one of the bridge's support columns. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident to determine the cause of the crash and if either of the railroad companies will be responsible for any replacement costs. A preliminary report issued in June said the Union Pacific train may have run through a stop signal.

The rubble from the crash temporarily shut down railroad lines in the area, but Union Pacific opened its line less than three days after the accident, according to a company spokesman. The opening of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line was delayed by flooding, but trains were running again by early June.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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Rockview, Mo.