Route YY Bridge Replacement Project to Begin

The bridge on Route YY over the Middle Fork of the Grand River, just east of Worth, closed in September 2018 after a regularly scheduled inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation revealed critical deterioration to the structure. The truss bridge, originally built in 1927, is included in Gov. Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program passed by the Missouri General Assembly during its 2019 session. The program appropriated $50 million in state general revenue to fund 45 high priority bridge projects throughout the state.

Contractors from Boone Construction Company will begin a bridge replacement project next week with plans to reopen the roadway to all traffic in the spring of 2020.

Motorists should continue to use U.S. Route 169 as an alternate route until the new bridge is in place and open to travelers.

The inspection that discovered the deterioration is not unique. All bridges throughout the United States are federally required to be inspected at least every two years. MoDOT’s Northwest District has more than 1,300 bridges among its 20 counties. This program of inspection, repair and maintenance of the more than 10,000 bridges across the state ensures the bridges are kept in the best possible condition for as long as possible for those traveling across Missouri’s roadways.

In addition, crews from MoDOT’s Central Office travel around the state conducting in-depth inspections throughout the year. These often require specialized equipment like Snooper Trucks which allow inspectors the ability to get an up close look beneath bridges. It was this inspection that discovered the deterioration the prompted the closure.