Hwy. M travelers may rejoice! The section of Hwy. M between I-55 and Hwy. 61-67 in Barnhart that’s been closed since the spring is set to reopen by 6 p.m. today (Oct. 20), Missouri Department of Transportation officials announced this afternoon.
“The guardrail is being installed as we speak,” MoDOT area engineer Judy Wagner said at 3:20 p.m.
The half-mile stretch was closed in early May after heavy rain caused a landslide on the highway’s north side. Previously, MoDOT said the highway would reopen to traffic on Oct. 27, but the work was completed sooner than expected, Wagner said.
“I would say it’s from a combination of the good weather and the contractor and subcontractors’ aggressive schedule,” she said.
Wagner said MoDOT wanted to have the highway open by Oct. 27 because the Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival, an annual event that draws about 100,000 people, is scheduled for Oct. 28-29, and traffic congestion would have been worse in the area if Hwy. M remained closed.
Gershenson Construction in Eureka was awarded an $880,000 contract to stabilize the hill on the north side of the highway.
The contract called for all work on the project to be completed by Nov. 1.
Wagner explained some work still remains to be finished, but it will not affect drivers.
“They still need to do seeding and mulching and cleanup,” she said.
Wagner said she knows the closure inconvenienced drivers but it was necessary.
“I just appreciate everyone’s patience during this so we could have a safe highway for everyone to commute,” she said.