The need to replace the Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River at Washington became evident years ago. Now at age 82, the old structure will be retired. It has served its purpose.Structural …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
The need to replace the Highway 47 bridge over the Missouri River at Washington became evident years ago. Now at age 82, the old structure will be retired. It has served its purpose.Structural deficiencies and the high cost of repairs, with millions already spent on it, to keep it safe, doomed the 1936 bridge.Its replacement is a slick, modern structure with wide lanes and a pedestrian/bicycle path with a lookout midway across, and when completed will be well-lighted and pleasing to the eye.It’s a $63 million structure that links Warren and southwestern St. Charles counties to Franklin County, just as the 1936 bridge has been doing. It also serves as a connection from Interstate 70 to Interstate 44.Its importance to this area can’t be fully measured. It serves as a vital passage to Mercy Hospital Washington and doctors’ offices and to the educational facilities in Washington, plus businesses, shopping and recreational activities there. Many residents on the south side of the river cross the bridge to reach what Warren and St. Charles counties offer in wineries and other activities. Not to be overlooked, it’s a route to I-70 to points west, east and north.Many people on the north side of the river work in Washington and other towns in Franklin County.People who plan to attend the ribbon cutting are urged to park at the Rennick Riverfront Park in Washington where shuttle buses will take them to and from the bridge. Parking in the bridge area will be tight. The ribbon-cutting program will be available on big screens at the riverfront park.This area is grateful to the Missouri Department of Transportation for its cooperation and arranging financing for this project. State and federal funds are involved. City and county officials also had a role in the project, along with countless volunteers who served on boards and committees that were involved in the project.Saturday will be a day for celebration and for the thousands of people who use the bridge daily, it’s thanksgiving time for the next 100 years, the expected life of the new structure!
