The section of Hwy. M east of I-55 in Barnhart that has been closed since early May because of a landslide is scheduled to reopen to two-way traffic by Oct. 27, the Missouri Department of Transportation reported Friday (Sept. 8).
The announcement came after the department awarded a $880,000 contract to Gershenson Construction Co. in Eureka to stabilize the hill on the north side of the highway. Gershenson was the lowest of five bids for the job.
After heavy rains in May, shifting ground caused a landslide and subsequent closure of the half-mile stretch of Hwy. M between I-55 and Hwy. 61-67.
MoDOT area engineer Judy Wagner said the Oct. 27 deadline to reopen the road to traffic was set because the Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival is scheduled for Oct. 28-29 and it draws a huge crowd and heavy traffic to the area.
“We put in the contract (Hwy. M) has to be open to two-way traffic by Oct. 27 because of the Apple Butter Festival,” she said. “That draws 100,000 people.”
The contract calls for all work on the project to be completed by Nov. 1.