August 21st, update

Great news! Phelps County Route J is open!

Concrete Strategies, LLC was able to open the bridge at Exit 169 to all traffic today, Friday, Aug. 21. This is part of a MoDOT project to rehabilitate six bridges over I-44 in Phelps and Pulaski Counties. The Route 28, Route D and Sugar Tree Road bridges over I-44 have also been completed.
Kingshighway in Rolla remains under construction and night work on Route E is expected to begin next week. Some short-term, intermittent northbound lane closures – and lane closures on I-44 under the Route E bridge – may be necessary for the safety of motorists.

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August 19th update

Last week we reached out with an update on the three bridges currently being/soon to be rehabilitated by Concrete Strategies, LLC as part of a MoDOT project to rehabilitate six bridges over I-44 in Phelps and Pulaski Counties. The Route 28, Route D and Sugar Tree Road bridges over I-44 have been completed, but Route J and Kingshighway are under construction with Route E still to go.

We received a new target date from our contractor on the completion and reopening of Route J over I-44 at Exit 169, 10 miles southwest of Doolittle: Aug. 21.

Weather and the extra deterioration found at these bridges have impacted the work schedules for the Route J and Kingshighway bridges – extending the timeframe for expected completion.

Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Missouri Route 72/Kingshighway in Rolla.

• Currently remains on track to open the westbound lanes to traffic in mid-October.
• Eastbound lanes remain open.

Work on Phelps County Route E at Exit 185 in Rolla, is now expected to begin the week of Aug. 24. Crews will remove the sidewalk adjacent to the northbound lanes under single-lane closures with flaggers. Work will be done at night and is expected to continue through early October. Some short-term, intermittent northbound lane closures – and lane closures on I-44 under the bridge – may be necessary for the safety of motorists.

Route D, Route E, Route J, County Road 8490, and Kingshighway Bridge Rehabilitation over Interstate 44 in Phelps County | Missouri Department of TransportationMoDOT Projects I-44 Link
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August 10th update

The Missouri Department of Transportation would like to let you know that work to repair the driving surface on the Phelps County Route BB bridge over BNSF Railway in Rolla is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 17. 

The bridge will remain open throughout construction, with one lane of traffic open in each direction. Motorists should expect delays. 

For motorists' safety while work is occurring overhead, intermittent closures of Oak Street and Olive Street beneath the bridge will be necessary when crews are working in the immediate area. These closures will not be in place for the duration of construction, and traffic will be directed to use surrounding local roadways when closures are in effect. 

The project is expected to continue through November 2026, weather permitting, subject to change. 
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August 6th update

I have a long-anticipated update on the two bridges currently being rehabilitated by Concrete Strategies, LLC as part of a MoDOT project to rehabilitate six bridges over I-44 in Phelps and Pulaski Counties. The Route 28, Route D and Sugar Tree Road bridges over I-44 have been completed, but Route J and Kingshighway are under construction with Route E still to go.

• Phelps County Route J, 10 miles southwest of Doolittle (Exit 169).
• Work is wrapping up and the contractor could open the bridge as early as next Friday, Aug. 14.
• Phelps County Business U.S. 44/Missouri Route 72/Kingshighway in Rolla.
• Extensive deterioration – more than expected – was discovered when the contractor began rehabilitating the bridge deck. This required additional work and time to ensure a quality, long-lasting product.
• Crews are moving to the second half of the project, and barring the discovery of more unexpected deterioration, they plan to open the westbound lanes to traffic in mid-October.
• Eastbound lanes remain open
• Route E, at Exit 185 in Rolla will begin the evening of Aug. 17. Crews will remove the sidewalk adjacent to the northbound lanes under single-lane closures with flaggers. Work will be done at night and is expected to continue through early October.