- The program will improve 802 of MoDOT’s most worn-out bridges in five years.
- MoDOT will solicit Design-Build proposals to replace 554 bridges in a single contract. That package will be advertised this fall and awarded in late spring 2009.
- The other 248 bridges to be improved, including at least 100 that will be under construction early in 2009, will be contracted using a modified design-bid-build approach, where projects are grouped by type, size or location to accelerate construction schedules.
- MoDOT will sell bonds to pay for the project, with annual payments of approximately $50 million. MoDOT will use roughly one-third of the Federal bridge placement funds it receives each year to make those payments. The Safe & Sound program requires no additional funding.
- The Design-Build-Finance-Maintain model, originally sought by MoDOT, proved to be too expensive in the current credit market because of the program’s requirement for private financing.
- A list of the bridges on the program, and maps of their locations, can be found on the project Web site – www.modot.mo.gov/safeandsound There is at least one bridge in every Missouri county.
- Over the last two years, MoDOT spent $15.6 million on the Safe & Sound program. That investment will enable MoDOT to get 100 bridges under contract by Spring 2009 and will speed the implementation of the Design-Build package. Included in the costs to date are stipends paid to Missouri Bridge Partners and Team United, as required by Missouri law, and a limited notice to proceed given to MBP that developed bridge plans, surveys and geotechnical information. All of the data, plans and technical concepts developed by both teams are now the property of MoDOT and will be used to improve 802 bridges. MoDOT also paid to locate utilities at bridge locations around the state – work that won’t need to be repeated.
- 10,276 bridges on Missouri state highway system – 7th largest total nationwide.
- Approximately 1,100 of them are in poor/serious condition. The Safe & Sound Initiative will address most of these bridges.
Contact us at safeandsound@modot.mo.gov
Media desiring additional information, please contact: Bob Brendel at 573-751-8717
