CH2M, Missouri Department of Transportation take first steps to upgrade aging bridge infrastructure

The Route 51 Bridge, originally constructed in 1942, and re-constructed in 1944 after a severe storm destroyed the main span, is a continuous truss bridge eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and listed as functionally obsolete, or no longer adequate due to outdated design.

CH2M will support the first steps to evaluate options to provide a safe, reliable Mississippi River crossing. The EA will bring together engineering and environmental considerations focusing on general location, mode choice, known environmental and cultural resource constraints, area-wide quality and land use implications. The EA process will determine if there are significant impacts to the proposed options, including replacing the existing bridge.

"While MoDOT begins looking at upgrades to the aging Route 51 Bridge infrastructure, taking traffic, tourism, seismic activity and environmental needs into consideration will be vital," said CH2M Global Highways and Bridges Practice Director, Bryan Nicol. "The work our team is conducting today will ensure design of a safe crossing and continued economic vitality for communities on both sides of the Mississippi River."

The bridge, used by more than 6,500 vehicles per day, functions as the sole river crossing for vehicle traffic between Perry County, Missouri and Chester, Illinois. An attraction as much as it is a transportation asset, the bridge serves employees of local businesses, including Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation and the Menard Correctional Center, school buses from the Chester Community School District, farm equipment and visitors to historic Chester – the birthplace of the popular Popeye cartoon.

"We have a long, successful history of working with MoDOT on its most important and challenging projects and look forward to the opportunity to build on this relationship with the Chester Bridge Environmental Assessment," said Buddy Desai, CH2M vice president and project manager for the EA.

As more agencies follow in MoDOT's footsteps to upgrade their infrastructure, CH2M looks forward to contributing to thoughtful and planned infrastructure development, which holds the promise of benefitting the nation's growth, creating jobs and fueling local economies – much like the Route 51 Bridge proposed upgrade promises for these Missouri and Illinois communities.

Is your career in need of an upgrade? CH2M is hiring! Visit our available opportunities.

About CH2M

CH2M leads the professional services industry delivering sustainable solutions benefiting societal, environmental and economic outcomes with the development of infrastructure and industry. In this way, CH2Mers make a positive difference providing consulting, design, engineering and management services for clients needing world-class solutions in environmental; industrial and advanced facilities; transportation; and water markets, from iconic infrastructure to global programs like the Olympic Games.

Ranked among the World's Most Ethical Companies and top firms in environmental consulting and program management, CH2M in 2016 became the first professional services firm honored with the World Environment Center Gold Medal Award for efforts advancing sustainable development. Connect with CH2M at www.ch2m.com; LinkedIn; Twitter; and Facebook

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