Missouri’s plan to replace more than 800 of its worst bridges has reached a milestone and is running ahead of schedule.
The goal is to replace 802 worn out bridges by the end of 20-13. But this year, crews are averaging more than three replacements or or rehabiltiations a week. Last week, the 412th bridge was done, putting the program past the halfway mark. The state transportation department says it appears the project might be wrapped up a year early.
Department spokesman Bob Brendel says Seventy bridges have been replaced or overhauled this year. At this rate the program could be done at the end of 2012. After that, he says, the department will have to look ahead to the next series of bad bridges—-even if the department lacks money to go much further.
Listen to interview with Bob Brendel 7:15 mp3
