Governor Parson tours bridge in Callaway County

Governor Mike Parson toured the location of an upcoming bridge project Thursday in Callaway County.

The project will replace the Callaway County Route D bridge over Interstate 70.

"We're trying to tell the people in the state look we're going to invest the money wisely and we're going to go to work," Governor Mike Parson said.

The existing bridge over I-70 was built in 1963. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the condition of the bridge has reached a point where a bridge replacement is necessary.

Machelle Watkins, MoDOT Central District engineer MoDOT said, "We got a lot of bridges underway and that we'll see be going to contract just like this one is over the next few years."

Governor Parson met with local officials and MoDOT employees as part of the tour.

According to MoDOT, Missouri has the nation’s seventh-largest system of roads and bridges, but its funding comes in at 48th in the nation.

Kent Haden, State Representative for District 43 said, "It's really the heartbeat for Eastern Callaway County its how people get from 70 to the river and its a big deal."

MoDOT is responsible for maintaining nearly 10,400 bridges on the state system.

"I'm just telling you getting 42 bridges started by the first of the year is a big lift but we're well on our way and we're going to continue to do that for the next 2 to 3 years of projects around the state," Parson said.

Missouri currently has 909 bridges that have been rated “poor” by the Federal Highway Administration.

According to MoDOT, construction of the Route D will take place in 2020. During construction, Route D will be closed at the bridge location for up to three months. Signs will alert motorists of the closed road. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes around the construction.

The total construction cost is expected to cost approximately $2.1 million.

Stay with ABC 17 News for more information on this developing story.