HANNIBAL – In the coming weeks, motorists will notice preparations being made to transition to Stage 3 construction on the intersection improvement project on Missouri Route 47, at U.S. Route 61 at Troy in Lincoln County.
Weather permitting, as early as February 14, all traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed northside of bridge. U.S. 61 traffic will be allowed to make left-hand turns at the ramp terminals and motorists traveling on MO 47 will utilize the center left-hand turn lane to access U.S. 61 on-ramps. MO 47 will be reduced to one lane in each direction and include a 12-foot width restriction from North Lincoln Drive to East Cherry Street. This traffic shift will begin in the evening hours.
The third phase of construction will include:
- The removal of the southern portion of the existing MO 47 bridge
- Reconstruction of the southern half of the MO 47 bridge and the two adjacent on/off-ramps to the south
- New pavement to widen MO 47 west of the interchange, from Merlin Drive to the bridge
- Installation of permanent traffic signals and lighting
Traffic impacts during stage 3 of construction will include:
- A long weekend closure of MO 47 and U.S. 61 to facilitate removal the southern half of bridge, which is tentatively scheduled to begin Friday, February 21 at 10:00 p.m. and continue to Sunday, February 23 at 10:00 p.m. A signed detour will be utilized at that time to assist motorists in reaching their destinations.
- During the bridge closure, traffic using the following routes will be diverted:
- MO 47 (Eastbound/Westbound) will use a signed detour over East Cherry Street to South Lincoln Drive then northbound to MO 47 or southbound to the South Lincoln Drive interchange
- U.S. 61 (Northbound) to MO 47 (Westbound toward Hawk Point) will utilize the South Lincoln Drive interchange to reach MO 47
- U.S. 61 (Northbound/Southbound) traffic will be diverted up and over the existing interchange ramps
- Old Cap Au Gris Road exit ramp will be closed to traffic
- Four temporary signals will be in place to direct traffic:
- East and west interchange ramp terminals
- East Cherry Street and MO 47 intersection
- Old Cap Au Gris Road and South Lincoln Drive intersection
- During bridge construction, MO 47 will be reduced to one lane in each direction and include a 12-foot width restriction from North Lincoln Drive to East Cherry Street. All traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed northside of bridge. Motorists will have access to the center turn lane and left-hand turns will be allowed at the ramp terminals.
- U.S. 61 will have late night road closures while crews set bridge beams in place. These closures will be short-term, lasting up to 20 minutes, and occur between midnight and 4 a.m.
The entire area of the interchange will be an active work zone over the next year. We would like to remind drivers to please slow down, obey all signs and eliminate distractions while driving. Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists, as schedule changes occur. MoDOT will alert the public about the project through signs, news releases and social media. We encourage you to view the Stage 3 Construction video to learn more about traffic impacts during this phase. Please visit the project website at www.modot.org/missouri-route-47-and-us-route-61-interchange-improvements-lincoln to view all project construction stage videos.
The $15.4M contract was awarded last year to KCI Construction Company of St. Louis, MO.
For more information on this and other projects in your area, please contact MoDOT’s Customer Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636). Winter is here! Are you prepared? Follow these safety tips to help us get through the season: Winter Driving Tips | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org). For information on road conditions and traffic impacts, please check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map at modot.org before you travel.