Boone County bridge work resumes after cave discovery halts progress

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Work resumed Monday on a Boone County bridge project that was shut down in April after the discovery of a cave.

The project to replace the bridge on Highway 163 over Bonne Femme Creek south of Columbia doesn't have an updated completion date, the Missouri Department of Transportation's Central District said in a tweet.

UPDATE: Boone Co Rte 163 Bonne Femme Creek Bridge Project

Work resumed today, Mon, 6/12. Work had been halted due to the discovery of an underground void.

An expected completion date for the project will be released as it becomes available.

Learn more: https://t.co/ppGawrNGmb pic.twitter.com/97jIdKblxB

— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) June 12, 2023

The contract for the project was nearly $775,000.

Missouri Department of Transportation workers were excavating for the foundation of the new bridge on April 11 when they encountered an opening in the surface. Preliminary reports showed about 120 feet of cave. It connects to Devil’s Icebox Cave in Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. 

The bridge will remain closed during construction.