LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - Repairs to westbound I-470 will be finished no later than September 15, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Construction begins today following award of a contract to Pyramid Contractors, Inc. of Olathe, Kan.
"MoDOT's focus is on the convenience and safety to drivers who use this highway and in returning driving conditions back to normal quickly," said MoDOT Interim Director Kevin Keith in Kansas City today. "We have set a firm deadline for the completion of these repairs and we will meet that deadline."
The contract contains incentives and penalties to encourage quick work. Each day beyond the target opening date that the four-lane highway link is not open will cost the contractor $40,000, and each day the link opens sooner than September 15, the contractor receives $40,000 up to $1 million. The contractor may receive the maximum incentive if completed by Aug. 20. Around-the-clock construction will occur to meet the deadline.
MoDOT awarded the $4.46 million emergency contract Thursday afternoon to construct a 225-foot bridge extension and get motorists back on the highway segment soon.
"This bridge extension is the quickest and most reliable remedy, and we will hold the contractor accountable for getting it open swiftly," said MoDOT District Engineer Beth Wright.
On Saturday, July 17, a segment of westbound I-470 to westbound I-435 collapsed. MoDOT immediately closed the highway section and redirected traffic to other routes. Engineers and technicians quickly gathered to determine the cause and initiate a process to fix the problem. By Wednesday, MoDOT had determined the quickest and most effective solution to be a bridge extension. Bids were solicited from qualified contractors Wednesday afternoon, and by 2 p.m. Thursday, bids were opened and a contract was awarded. Construction began immediately.
For more information about this project, please visit MoDOT's Website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter or send questions and comments to kccommunityrelations@modot.mo.gov.
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