KINGSTON, Mo. – The bridge on Route 13 over Log Creek, just south of Kingston, opened this afternoon, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. The bridge was closed following a regularly scheduled inspection that revealed critical deterioration to the structure. Temporary support structures have been built and inspectors have determined the bridge is safe for motorists. The bridge reopened as a one-lane bridge with traffic signals to assist motorists. The traffic signals will remain in place until the bridge is rebuilt.

“When the inspectors found the deterioration, it was important for the safety of the traveling public to close this bridge temporarily,” said Northwest District Engineer Don Wichern. “This route is important to the local community, so it was our goal to reopen it as soon as the temporary supports were in place and the road was once again safe for motorists.”

The Log Creek Bridge was built in 1930 and carries approximately 2,500 vehicles a day. The bridge is currently scheduled to be replaced in 2017. MoDOT would also like to remind motorists that this bridge has a weight restriction in place. All motorists must observe posted weight limits. The weight restriction has been in place since 2013 and was not a result of this most recent inspection. All bridges throughout the United States are federally required to be inspected at least every two years. MoDOT’s Northwest District has more than 1,300 bridges among its 20 counties.