Jefferson City Council discusses options for replacements of viaduct

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A public meeting was held Thursday morning in Jefferson City with the Works and Planning Committee to discuss designs for the potential replacement of the High Street Viaduct.

The viaduct does not comply with the current codes for its sidewalk.

Five options were proposed, but two appeared to stick out with meeting attendees. One of those options was to shorten the bridge, making a connection with Missouri Boulevard. Option No. 3 -- another popular option -- is to make the viaduct shorter by modifying the location of the creek, according to information from the city's website.

Operation Divisions Director Britt Smith said members of the Works and Planning committee likes the idea of both options being implemented.

"We think there's something in the middle. There is a little bit of work we could do with the creek to make the bridge as short as possible, but at the same time, not impact the creek itself. But we obviously still have to span the railroad. So we've kind of dubbed it (option) 2.5...," Smith said.

Funding for this project will be a major impact, option two is estimated cost of $11,355,089.90 with option three to be estimated at $10,835,146.85. The combined "option 2.5" estimated cost is yet to be determined and funding will determine when and if that option will replace the High Street Viaduct.

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