CHESTER – The Gilster Mary Lee Corporation has posted some more images of the new Chester Bridge which is now in the early stages of construction on its Facebook page.
The new renderings were released Wednesday at a MoDOT open house on the project.
Here is a summary of the need for the new bridge and the latest on the new bridge from the Missouri Department of Transportation website.
The current truss bridge was originally constructed in 1942 and was re-constructed in 1944 after a severe storm destroyed the main span. The bridge has allowed motorists to travel both east and west across the Mississippi River for 80 years.
Over the course of eight decades, the old Chester Bridge has become less functional for modern vehicles. Although the bridge is safe for travel, this aging structure is considered to be in poor condition. MoDOT is continuing to monitor the bridge. The last inspection occurred in fall 2021.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved an amendment to the FY2022-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to fund the Chester Bridge Replacement Project (J9P3857) during its meeting on Sept. 9, 2021. In addition, the MHTC approved the Southeast District’s proposal to complete the Chester Bridge Replacement Project using the design-build project delivery method. The design-build method will allow industry input on both the design and construction of this work. It is proposed to be completed in 2026.
The new bridge is to be named the Don Welge Memorial Bridge in honor of the man who founded Gilster Mary Lee Corporation which has operations on both sides of the Mississippi River
Project Goals
- Replace existing bridge within the project budget using durable 100-year, low maintenance structure(s).
- Provide a safe and reliable transportation solution for all modes of transportation.
- Complete the project no later than December 1, 2026 with the least impacts to all modes of transportation.
- Deliver the project safely while utilizing a diverse workforce