From scenarios as wide-ranging as tractor-trailer crashes, t-bone collisions, and yes even cows, local first-responders and government officials participated in a table-top exercise hosted by the Missouri Department of Transportation Monday evening.
With the upcoming demolition of the Highway 47 bridge over Interstate 70, scheduled to begin March 27, officials got together to discuss several potential scenarios that could occur during the over 137 days the bridge is being replaced. It is estimated the bridge will be open to motorists in August.
The idea behind the exercise was not only to discuss potential scenarios, but to help inform MoDOT about potential changes that MoDOT could implement to make the process easier over the next several months.
MoDOT Improve I-70 East Project Team Director Kim Trainor presented four different scenarios to local officials and first-responders at the Warren County Administration building.
The first scenario presented by Trainor also proved to be the hardest. The scenario outlined by Trainor is that there is a stalled semi-truck on the eastbound I-70 off ramp at the Highway 47 exit during the weekend that the bridge is out and the portion of I-70 passing under Highway 47 is closed. While this generally might not present a challenging scenario, during the period the bridge is being demolished that portion of I-70 will be closed and traffic will be directed onto the off-ramps to go through the intersection. Prior to getting onto the off-ramps traffic will be reduced to one lane. So the scenario painted by Trainor would effectively shutdown eastbound I-70 traffic until the truck could be moved.
In discussing the scenario, Warrenton Police Department would be the first to respond based upon the location. After several members of the group discussed the matter it became apparent that due to detours that would exist, it would be very difficult to get a tow-truck to the proposed scenario quickly. There was some discussion of possibly MoDOT providing temporary access points from Veterans Memorial Parkway to I-70 at points to perhaps facilitate such a situation. Other scenarios included accidents at Wildcat Drive, which will be one of the detour locations during the project as well as an accident entering Highway 47 from I-70 during the bridge construction phase.
The most entertaining scenario of the evening involved animals, specifically a tractor-trailer carrying cows to the American Foods Group facility in Warren County. The scenario envisioned a truck failing to navigate the roundabout at Highway MM/Warrenton Boulevard and overturning at that location. Based upon the scenario there were 30 cattle in total, with five deceased in the trailer, 15 inside the trailer but alive and 10 others roaming outside near the truck.
After laughter about the scenario ended, the main focus of those in attendance was getting veterinary care to the animals. Some suggested that the 10 outside the vehicle would have already fled the scene, while others suggested they could create trouble for motorists on I-70.
While no definitive changes were made Monday night based upon the scenarios, Trainor did suggest they would consider the input from the group in perhaps setting up some other plans during the bridge construction phase.
MoDOT is holding an informational meeting about the Highway 47 bridge replacement project Monday, March 16 at the Warrenton High School Commons, 803 Pinckney St. from 4 to 6 p.m.
