Roadways in Northwest Missouri sustained significant damage in the floodwaters that first inundated the area in March 2019. In some places, water remains over roadways more than a month later. As floodwaters recede, broken and missing roadways, damaged bridges, debris, drainage issues and hazardous materials have been left in their wake.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded two contracts as part of a special letting to begin the recovery process for these roads. Projected completion dates are not only dependent on the weather, but also on water levels going down and staying down.
US Route 159 (Holt County) from one mile east of Route P near Fortescue to the Missouri River Bridge (crews began work April 29), debris removal and emergency repair was awarded to Phillips Hardy, Inc. for $3,589,253.87 with projected completion on or before June 1. While more than 10,000 tons of rock have been placed in a pavement gap west of Route 111, more repairs need to be made at that location.
US Route 136 (Atchison County) from Interstate 29 to the Missouri River Bridge, debris removal and emergency repair was awarded to Phillips Hardy, Inc. for $3,490,800.96 with projected completion on or before July 1 (may be delayed, as water is still over the roadway as of May 3, 2019).
Additional emergency contracts will follow including Route 111, Route 118, the Little Tarkio Bridge on U.S. Route 159 and many lettered routes. There are still several miles of roadway under water, and some with rushing water, which limits our ability to assess damage. When waters recede and damages are determined, those repairs will be contracted as well.
Once the new rock and fill material on these routes has a chance to settle, more permanent repairs will follow these emergency contracts. Those permanent repairs should take place next year.
The Iowa Department of Transportation is working diligently to have their portion of I-29 open by the end of May. When Iowa opens I-29, MoDOT will open the Missouri portion of I-29 between Exit 57 and the Iowa border to through traffic. That portion remains closed to through traffic at this time, but is open to local, northwest Missouri traffic.
To keep up to date on the progress on the roadway recovery projects by both MoDOT and contractors, visit the NW Missouri Flooding page. Go to the map, click on the highlighted route you are interested in, and it will give you up-to-date information on plans and progress. The web page also has pictures of the damage and repair efforts.
