MODOT seeks new owner for Gasconade River Bridge

A spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Transportation announced on Monday that the company is once again looking for someone to take over the Gasconade River Bridge.

The spokesperson said that MoDOT had been in negotiations with Workin’ Bridges, a private organization that works to save old bridges from demolition, to take ownership of the 90-year-old bridge in its existing location. However, the organization recently indicated that it had decided not to pursue the project.

MoDOT will be accepting proposals through March 15, 2019 from parties interested in preserving the current structure.

“Due to liability issues and limited funds, we will have to remove the bridge unless an outside entity steps forward to take ownership of and maintain the bridge,” said MoDOT Central District Engineer David Silvester. “We know that’s not what folks want to hear, but it’s the reality of the situation. We are hopeful some entity will step forward with a proposal to preserve the existing structure.”

The bridge, which carries the Interstate 44 outer road and historic Route 66 over the Gasconade River, has been closed to traffic since December 2014 due to extensive deterioration.

The spokesperson said the setback will not affect the plans for building a new bridge on new alignment adjacent to the existing structure.

Anyone interested in taking ownership of the old bridge is asked to contact Karen Daniels at (573) 526-7346.