MoDOT permanently closes Route 53 bridge in Campbell

Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced yesterday the permanent closing of the MO Route 53 overpass bridge in Campbell, Mo. The 78-year-old bridge, which crosses the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad line, was originally closed, on a temporary and precautionary basis, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, when excessive movement was noted during a routine inspection. MoDOT crews began a further inspection at that point, digging on the south side of the bridge, to find out what was going on underneath, because officials had discovered the top of the bridge, which measures 28 feet tall, had actually leaned an additional one foot since its last inspection, in 2012. State law requires Missouri bridges be inspected every two years. MoDOT's Southeast Area Engineer, David Wyman, said crews had indeed noted a slight leaning in the 2012 inspection, but that it was not of particular concern, at the time. However, this latest round of investigation has revealed a crack in one of the bridge columns. And, as the lean increases, the bridge beams, which rest on concrete abuttments, are sliding, due to the decreased support.

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