Work Planned Soon on the Champ Clark Bridge

A week-long shut down of the Champ Clark Bridge is planned for expansion joint repairs. 

Exact dates have not been set because the state is still waiting for the contractor to have parts made. MODOT says the bridge is safe, but has enacted indefinite weight limits after an inspection showed what engineers call structural deficiencies.

The new restriction is 80,000 pounds or less and will affect large truck traffic, which will have to detour through Hannibal or St. Louis. At 86, the bridge is the oldest non-updated structure still used for auto traffic on the Mississippi River between St. Paul and St. Louis.

Estimated cost of a new structure is 40 million to 60 million dollars, with Missouri and Illinois splitting the bill. Pre-construction work already is under way, and a final site selection is expected next year. While the state considers the project a priority, it doesn’t have the money for construction.