Bridge repairs along B Highway in Butler County began late last fall and are starting to cause frustration for residents and business owners along the path.
Beginning east near Fisk, Mo., and working west toward Poplar Bluff, Mo., the Missouri Department of Transportation project includes 10 bridges, said Area Engineer David Wyman.
The work is being performed by Pace Construction of St. Louis, Mo., as the contractor.
The frustration for many comes with the closing of both sides of the bridge, causing motorists to take longer routes to reach their destinations.
"It's not an option to close one lane," Wyman said citing safety concerns for motorists and the crew as they work on both sides of the bridges at once.
Wyman said crews try to give advance notice by displaying electronic message boards two weeks ahead of a project beginning. Once barricades are up and construction has begun, the road closure signs are then displayed.
Utilizing the winter months, Wyman said the bridges are receiving new concrete and guard railings in preparation for overlay work.
"Overlay will start in the spring," he said.
Pace's work schedule is "variable" based on concrete pours, Wyman said, aiming to get rebar in place on Mondays to be able to pour concrete on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
"It takes several days for (the concrete) to cure," he said.
Currently, one bridge is closed east of Rombauer, Mo., and is set to open by Friday, Feb. 16.
Bridge 1 (see map) was closed for two weeks, and according to Wyman, was scheduled to open by Friday, Feb. 1. It is the third bridge off the exit ramp from Poplar Bluff on B Highway.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 31, the bridge was open for traffic ahead of schedule.
The next bridges on the project list will be the final two just off the exit ramp east of Poplar Bluff on B Highway.
The final two bridges are expected to close Monday, Feb. 5, and take three to four weeks to complete.
"There are no residents or businesses between the two bridges," Wyman said.
Wyman predicts about another month of bridge work ahead for Pace Construction causing road closures before overlay work begins.
Once the overlay work begins in the spring, Wyman said one lane will remain open and no roads will be closed.
Hydes' Catfish restaurant owner Joyce Hyde said the road closure has been bad for her business and is especially worried about the effects during Lent, beginning Feb. 14.
"This (road closure) has really cut down on business," she said of her restaurant located at 1180 Highway VV in Broseley, Mo.
One customer Hyde spoke with from Poplar Bluff traveled the 40 minute detour to the restaurant while encountering several gravel roads, adding about 20 extra minutes to the trip.
Many customers also told Hyde they experienced issues traveling the gravel roads after the recent snow melting and rain.
Customers can now take N Highway for a faster and easier route, Hyde said.
While Hyde agrees the railings will be a safety improvement, she fears farm equipment will have issues traveling across the bridges.
"I would just like to see them get done like they said," Hyde said. "Especially before Lent because it will really mess with business."
Baker Implement Manager John Acre said he is glad to see the improvements along the highway.
While January and February are slow times for the farm equipment dealership, Acre said he had not noticed any effects due to the road closures.
He added with the way farm equipment is now able to fold extensions into the machine, he believes most will have no issue crossing the bridges.
"It (the road) was rough so I'm happy it's being fixed," Acre said. "To pave it they have to do this."