The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today selected the Lehman-Wilson team for the design-build contract to replace 31 low-weight and poorly maintained bridges in northern Missouri over the next two and a half years in as part of the Fixing Access to Rural Missouri Bridge program. This was made possible by the receipt in 2019 of a federal grant of $ 20.7 million under the Federal Highway Administration’s Competitive Highway Bridge program.

Design-Build is a project delivery method in which a contracting team is selected to design and build the highway improvement under a single contract. The MoDOT provides the project goals, budget and schedule and the contractor’s team completes the job. This technique is known to save time and achieve cost savings.

The Lehman-Wilson team includes Lehman Construction Co. of California, Missouri, and Wilson & Co. Engineers & Architects of Kansas City. “We were very pleased with the proposals submitted by these teams and are ready to make improvements to the transportation system in these rural areas,” said Jeff Gander, project manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The project will replace deficient bridges on low volume roads which are:

• Limited weight
• In poor condition
• On wood pile
• One lane but carry traffic in both directions

The complete list of bridges to be replaced can be found on the FARM Bridge program web page.

“We are proud to have been selected to build the bridges for the FARM Bridge program and look forward to having a good working relationship with MoDOT and the region,” said Kenny Lehman, owner of Lehman Construction.

The Lehman-Wilson team’s goal is to outsource 6% of construction and 12% of professional and design activities to disadvantaged commercial companies. Federal workforce goals also require varying percentages by county of those working on the project to be minorities and 6.9% to be female for all counties.

The next step in the design-build process is for Lehman-Wilson to refine their design plans on the first set of bridges to be replaced. “We expect construction to begin later this fall,” Gander said, “and depending on how much winter we have, we may be able to work directly.”

He said every road will be closed at the bridge to speed up construction. “Notice boards will be placed on these roads a few weeks before each closure, and we encourage residents of these areas to register to receive our email and SMS alerts, “he said. He added that MoDOT will continue to send information and updates to local media for distribution. MoDOT’s online traveler map also shows the location of work areas and closures. roads.

The oldest bridge to be replaced is on Route A in County Worth and was built in 1930. (click to see the picture) The average age of these bridges is 80 years.

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