Austin Street Bridge to close Tuesday

Motorists pass a sign warning of an upcoming closure of the Austin Street Bridge.

Photo by Hank Layton | Daily Mail Sports Reporter

Local commuters may be in for an unwelcome surprise when they return to work after Labor Day Weekend.

That's why the City of Nevada once again wants to remind motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians that the Austin Street Bridge will be closed for repairs starting Tuesday, Sept. 7.

City Manager Mark Mitchell sent out a press release this week reiterating that upgrades to the overpass over the Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad — also known as the U.S. Route 54 bridge — will cause several changes in traffic routes and patterns.

For starters, all lanes over the bridge will be closed, so Mitchell urges all motorists to exercise caution and follow the marked detour routes — which will redirect drivers traveling west-bound on Austin north onto Centennial Blvd. and 1-49 then south on Osage, and redirect drivers traveling east-bound on Austin north onto Osage then south on I-49.

Additionally, South Elm Street between Maple and Sycamore Street will be closed.

The City asks that truck drivers pay special attention to the tunnel height restrictions at the Walnut Street underpass. As the low-clearance signs placed along the route indicate, the railroad bridge is marked 11 feet, 7 inches.

The intersection of Walnut and Osage will be right turn only, and motorists will not be allowed to cross Osage Blvd. heading east- and west-bound.

Moreover, Mitchell urges everyone to use extreme caution and good judgement crossing Osage Blvd. Due to increased traffic from the detour, there may be low visibility at the intersection at Hickory and Osage heading west-bound looking north around the curve.

Heavy truck traffic and oversize loads will be prohibited on Hickory Street from Centennial Blvd. to Ash Street, though local truck deliveries will be permitted.

Because access to the east side of Nevada by foot, bike, or motorized wheelchairs will be limited by the bridge closure, the City encourages pedestrians and cyclists to use the Walnut Street underpass.

Despite the initial frustration some motorists may experience, the much-needed improvements to the deteriorating structure (originally build in 1963 and now averaging more than 15,000 vehicles crossing per day) are expected to provide safer passage in the long term.

The resurfacing of the road and installation of new barrier walls, sidewalks, lighting, fencing, and guardrails is part of Gov. Mike Parson's $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which aims to repair or replace 250 bridges across Missouri. This particular project cost $4 million and is contracted to completed by Radmacher Brothers Excavation (Pleasant Hill) by spring 2022.