Some citizens are concerned about travel times now that Sorrels Overpass is closed
COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)
Some residents that use the Sorrels Overpass say that traveling is now difficult for them when they leave their homes since the overpass' closure on Monday.
David O'Bryan, 51, was driving a Waste Management roll-off truck that had a piece of equipment extended that hit the bridge during the afternoon. Officials reported O'Bryan was injured because of the crash but University Hospital officials report he is in good condition.
Rayema Ireland uses the overpass to visit her daughter but instead used Stadium Boulevard Tuesday as an alternate route.
Ireland said her daughter uses the overpass but now uses Stadium to drive home serval times a week. Ireland said she is concerned for her daughter's safety because she knows drivers can become frustrated.
"That's one of the things I've always told my daughter, be careful out there and she'd say mom you know I'm a good driver and I'd say yes but I don't know about that other guy," Ireland said.
Allison Ferguson says her grocery store runs will now take longer than five minutes because the overpass is closed.
"The road is the main way to all the grocery stores over there. It's about a five-minute trip, or at least it was to Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart. So now that's out of the way probably going to have to start going around which going to add a lot of time," Ferguson said.
Ferguson added that the overpass needed improvements.
"The bridge has always been a little sketchy if you ask me anyway. So, I think its been needing some work for a long time. I think this just kind of sets it in stone for me. It probably needed it longer than the city would like to admit," Ferguson said.
Before Monday, MoDOT had already rated the Sorrels Overpass in poor condition. Bridges are rated on a nine-point scale, with 9 being a new bridge and 2 being a closed bridge. Missouri’s poor bridges carry a rating of 4 or less.
Tawny Brown said she's already planning her next trip to run errands, knowing her travel troubles will add more time to her commute.
"I probably won't go to Wal-Mart as much, I'll probably go to a different store because that overpass kind of provides a back way the way to get there really quickly. I'll probably go to a different grocery store to spend my money," Brown said
MoDOT currently has 837 bridges that have been rated “poor” using Federal Highway Administration criteria.
Officials said this project will impact traffic. The Sorrels Overpass will remain closed at the bridge during construction, and there will also be temporary lane closures along I-70.
