Realizing the growth taking place in and around Joplin, Missouri, MoDOT partnered with Benesch to design a new I-44 bridge. Traffic volumes required two lanes of traffic along both routes remain open at all times. The result was a new, wider bridge had to be constructed inside the existing interchange footprint. This ultimately required a 6-phase staged construction, beginning in the median between the existing twin bridges and building outward.
Site drainage, both along 71B and along the bridge deck, required special attention. The flat grade along 71B, locations of existing drainage ditches, and incorporation of a median sidewalk underneath the bridge contributed to the complexity of draining the site. In addition, required stage construction posed challenges on how to handle drainage through construction. Thorough planning and coordination with the MoDOT District Office ultimately allowed challenges to be overcome.