MoDOT Delays Closure of Missouri Highway 79 Until August 15

Weather permitting, Monday, August 15, the Missouri Department of Transportation will close Missouri Route 79 at Guinn’s Creek, located 0.60 mile south of Route H near Annada, to replace the bridge.  The closure date has been pushed back two weeks due to complications with getting materials.

“It will take our contractor about two months to complete the Guinn’s Creek Bridge project,” said MoDOT Area Engineer Brian Haeffner.

Once that project is complete, the contractor will move to New Bryan Creek, located 1.4 miles south of Route H near Annada on MO 79, just south of Guinn’s Creek, and replace that bridge.  This project is expected to last approximately two months as well.

“Many of the bridges on MO 79 in Pike County were built in 1935 with the expectation they would last 50 years,” Haeffner added. "We began replacing these bridges a couple of years ago, and will continue to do so through the next two summers. We understand the impact closure of MO 79 has on local residents, businesses and area travelers, and appreciate their patience as we improve the transportation system. When completed, the new bridges will keep MO 79 in service for many years to come," he said.

Drivers can use the state route detour over Pike County Route H to Pike County Route W to Lincoln County Route B, or the detour over Pike County Route H to Pike County Route W to Lincoln County Route CC, during the closures of both bridges.

Capital Paving and Construction of Columbia, Missouri was awarded the contract for $1,381,511.88. Crews will be out putting up message boards to alert motorists of the upcoming closures.

For more information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636). You can also visit us online at www.modot.mo.gov/northeast.