I-229 to lose interstate designation and double-decker bridge

I-229 to lose interstate designation and double-decker bridge

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ST. JOSEPH, MO — Plans to upgrade the deteriorating double-decker bridge along the Missouri River will redesignate I-229 from an interstate to a highway. The decision to reclassify the interstate has raised alarms about the loss of federal funding.

I-229 double decker bridge along the Missouri River — facing South

Shannon Kusilek, The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Northwest District Design Engineer, spoke of how the funding is allocated differently between interstates and highways.

“On MODOT’s interstate system, we get reimbursed from the federal government 90 percent of the project,” said Kusilek. “So MoDOTS state dollars has to only put in 10 percent. Any other roads, like Highway 36, it’s an 80 percent match. So we have to put in 20 percent when we get 80 percent from the feds. That’s the only difference.”

Kusilek goes on to explain that while the road is getting redesignated, its functionality will remain the same.

“The fact that it’s going to be de-designated is just a matter of changing the shields and the difference in cost,” said Kusilek. “We’re still going to maintain it as an expressway like 36.”

The Federal Highway Administration, after nearly 7 years of deliberation, confirmed in its environmental impact study construction will have no significant impact on humans.

Missouri River west of I-229’s double decker bridge

Much of the project involves modifying the landscape to “fill above the flood line,” a process that involves extensive grading. Kusilek spoke of plans to clear a 100-year floodplain by bringing in over 10 feet of fill-in to get the road above the flood line. In addition to flooding concerns, questions about sedimentation and erosion control have been raised.

“As part of a highway project, we have to make sure we do have environmental standards that we maintain,” said Kusilek. “We have ways to control sediment and water runoff for projects and we have to have those. If we don’t then we’re non-compliant and we’d have some major issues to deal with.”

The double-decker bridge has exceeded its expected lifespan of 40 years. The bridge would cost more to repair than to replace.

I-229 double decker bridge along the Missouri River — facing North

“Elevated bridges freeze faster than roadways do,” said Kusilek. “Because they freeze faster they need more salt. Salt deteriorates bridges faster because it gets in the concrete which eventually starts to freeze-thaw and work its way down into the rebar of the bridge and then that freeze-thaw starts popping. For the proposal of the roadway, the initial concrete pavement would have a 25–30-year lifespan to it, which is easier to maintain than a bridge.”

MODOT relies on taxpayer dollars to finance the project.

“All our funding comes through the gas tax,” said Kusilek. “We use the state money to leverage more federal dollars. Every dollar we put into a project we get $5 from the federal government.”

MoDOT currently has money from a ‘major bridge’ fund that will be allocated towards the new project. MoDOT and the city will work to find grants as the project develops.

The Double Decker Bridge, north bound traffic on top level and south bound traffic on bottom level.

The proposed project is still in its early stages, construction will begin in approximately five to seven years. Replacing the bridge with a roadway will take at least two years and have an estimated cost of $61 — $77 million.

For now, the project remains in the hands of MODOT, who have committed to ensuring that environmental and community concerns are addressed. Residents and city officials remain hopeful that further collaboration will ensure that the future of St. Joseph is both sustainable and safe.