Residents and the Missouri Department of Transportation differ on new bridge plan

A pair of Missouri lawmakers met with residents Wednesday afternoon to discuss a controversial proposed bridge project.

The bridge is on Highway 41 spans the Lamine River near Arrow Rock in Cooper County.

The Missouri Department of Transportation wants to replace the 80-year-old bridge because engineers and residents say the current bridge is too old and cannot handle the 1,000 cars that travel on it everyday.

However, MoDOT and residents do not see eye-to-eye on where the new bridge should be located.

Residents met Wednesday to discuss the project and invited Missouri Senator Kurt Schaefer and Representative Dave Muntzel to hear their concerns.

Cooper County residents want the bridge moved west of its current location for better visibility and increased safety.

MoDOT is planning to build the new bridge in the same location.

The state leaders say they will meet with MoDOT officials to relay the concerns of residents.