Excelsior Springs, Mo. – The 143rd Terrace bridge in Excelsior Springs has been closed indefinitely following a recent safety inspection by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), which found significant structural deterioration making the bridge unsafe for public use.
According to Public Works Director Chad Birdsong, MoDOT inspects city bridges on a biennial basis and issued the closure order after their most recent review. “MoDOT inspects city bridges every other year and closed the 143rd Terrace bridge due to safety concerns,” Birdsong said.
Although the bridge had already been closed to traffic as part of the ongoing Dryfork Greenway Project construction effort along North Main Street and Kennedy Avenue, city officials now confirm that the detours currently in place will remain for the foreseeable future. The indefinite closure comes as the city continues to search for a path forward.
Efforts to secure funding for the bridge’s replacement have been underway for several years, but previous applications for grant support have not been successful. Birdsong noted that while the need for replacement has long been recognized, securing adequate funding has been a major challenge.
Estimates for replacing the structure are currently projected to cost over $800,000, a significant burden for the city’s budget without outside assistance. The bridge, which has served as a connector route for local residents and emergency vehicles, now sits idle with no set timeline for replacement.
City leaders say they will continue to pursue grant opportunities and other funding sources, but until a solution is found, the bridge will remain closed, and existing detour routes will stay in effect.
Residents with questions about alternate routes or the status of Project Greenway can contact the Public Works Department or visit the city’s official website for updates.
Location of the 143rd Terrace bridge in Excelsior Springs, now closed indefinitely due to structural concerns. Detours remain in place as the city seeks funding for replacement.
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