Dade County - When crews with Robertson Contractors closed the Stockton Lake bridge on Route 245 May 11, they had 90 days to tear down and replace the 2,100-foot long bridge deck. Sixty-five days later, the bridge was reopened to traffic.

Crews worked 20 hours per day, six and seven days a week, to get the bridge open as quickly as possible. It reopened July 14.

"This closure came during prime lake season, and Robertson did everything possible to minimize the amount of time lake travelers had to take a detour," said MoDOT Resident Engineer Randy Aulbur.

It took crews 10 days to remove the old bridge deck, which was built in 1967. Over 1,100 cubic yards of concrete went into replacing the deck, along with 500,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and 4,600 feet of barrier curbing.

Robertson Contractors is based out of Poplar Bluff. The contract amount was $3.9 million.

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NOTE: For an interview with Resident Engineer Randy Aulbur and/or construction photos, please contact Community Relations at 1-800-654-5428.