At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, the Pettis County Commission, Missouri Department of Transportation Senior Construction Inspector Brian Lavender, Gene Haile Excavating Inc. and Anderson Engineering, Inc. conducted a final inspection for Bridge No. 4510027 BRO B080 (038) on Claycomb Road.

A press release says after the completion of the bridge inspection, it was determined that the project was substantially finalized and the road was ordered opened to traffic, effective immediately.

Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza said, “We are committed to being proactive when it comes to bridge maintenance and replacements in Pettis County. By identifying these bridges early, we are able to limit road closures and keep our farm to market roads open for business.”

Pettis County is active when it comes to bridge maintenance through the Bridge Replacement Off System (B.R.O.) program. Out of the 166 bridges in the county’s system, there are only three bridges closed due to deficiencies. As part of the county’s commitment to attend those infrastructure needs, all three of the closed bridges currently are under contract to be replaced.

The approximately $586,000 bridge is the first of two bridge replacements scheduled along Claycomb Road as part of the B.R.O. projects. Through this program, the Federal Highway Administration paid for 100 percent of the cost, avoiding the expenditures of local tax dollars.

Presiding Commissioner David Dick said, “As part of our general road maintenance, we look at these bridges and their ratings to try to replace them in a timely fashion, through the most cost effective avenues we have; the B.RO. Program being one of those tools.”

Baeza added, “We are thankful for everyone that saw the importance of this bridge and came to the table to find cost-effective solutions. We are very pleased with the final results of these infrastructure improvements and are confident that this investment will serve the citizens of Pettis County for the next 100 years.”

Photo courtesy the Pettis County Commission