Beginning Sept. 26, Horine Road where it goes under the railroad trestle in Festus will be closed periodically for about two months while crews work to replace the trestle, according to Festus city officials. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway will have the trestle replaced, and during the project, the road will be closed to through traffic for four to six hours on Mondays through Fridays.
On at least one day, however, the road will be closed to traffic for about 16 hours, City Administrator Greg Camp said.“Probably in mid-October,” he said.
Typically, work will not start before 8 a.m., and no night work is scheduled, the city announced Tuesday on social media.
BNSF could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, at Leader deadline.
During the construction project, drivers should look for posted detour signs and other signs, the city reported.
The new trestle will be wider than the current one, according to the city.
Over the years, drivers have struck the trestle, including twice within one month during 2016. That year, a box truck struck the trestle on March 8 and a truck pulling a grader on a trailer struck it April 4. BNSF inspected the trestle after those crashes and determined it was still structurally sound.
In early 2021, Festus officials announced that BNSF intended to replace the wood trestle with one made of concrete and steel at some point. In preparation for the replacement project, the road was closed off and on for a period while utilities were moved.