MoDOT construction projects remain on time despite winter weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Winter weather in Mid-Missouri is impacting the roads for drivers but not for construction projects.

The Rocheport bridge and the Sorrels overpass construction remain on time to be completed.

The Rocheport Bridge is expected to be completed in December 2024. The Sorrels overpass is on schedule is to be completed in May but crews are waiting for girders to arrive to move forward with progress on the overpass. Girders are a critical material that will set the bridge deck.

"The Missouri Department of Transportation factors winter-weather shutdowns when it plans projects, especially when it comes to paving and asphalt work," said Mike Schupp, an engineer with MoDOT.

Whether a construction crew will continue to work on a project through the winter depends on if the contractor feels that progress will be made during winter weather events.

"We get these weather delays they aren't really delays, they are just weather events that we deal with and move," Schupp says.

Schupp said, "If the contractor feels like they can keep progressing and make good progress with the forces that they have and the weather that they have it's really up to them if they want to keep working."

During the winter, construction crews do face some challenges. Pouring concrete can be difficult in the cold but a contractor can decide to keep the concrete heated during the winter, which can lead to more labor and more expenses, compared to pouring concrete in warmer weather.

Some contractors can get an incentive if a project is completed ahead of schedule or on time. Projects that have high traffic impacts can receive an incentive.

If a project is not completed on time there are disincentives. If a contractor goes past a completion date it could affect how much money the contractor receives.

MoDOT reminds drivers to leave plenty of distance from the car in front of them and to drive with caution when roads are slick.