Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Government officials hash out bridge options

In recent months, the three governments have discussed alternatives to a MoDOT proposal made in July. MoDOT recommended that the 75-year-old bridge be closed to traffic for one year so that crews could repair the concrete deterioration under its deck. The bridge connects Branson with Hollister and East Missouri Highway 76. Repair costs and a new connecting roundabout total $3.5 million.

Funding challenge

Although none of the three governmental entities wanted the bridge closed, coming up with another option – and its funding – has proven challenging. Chad Zickefoose, MoDOT’s Springfield Area District Project Engineer, said his organization provided a first draft of a value engineering study prior to meeting with the groups on Dec. 6. The study reviewed 17 options to resolve the bridge problem; some were constrained within the district’s $3.5 million budget. MoDOT looked closely at three options before recommending an unrestrained project known as Option B-10. Zickefoose said B-10 proposes a second bridge to be built nearly parallel and north of the current Lake Taneycomo Bridge. The new bridge would connect Highway 76 with Branson Landing Boulevard. Once the new bridge opens, as early as 2010, the older bridge could be closed for repairs.

Rick Ziegenfuss, Hollister’s city administrator, said the city is supportive of the B-10 option, but funding the estimated $18 million project is another matter. He said Hollister already has partnered with Taney County to finance the East-West Corridor, a road connecting east Hollister to East Missouri Highway 76. The city is using a $120,000 block grant and $4.3 million in tax-increment financing to construct the corridor.

Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel and Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley also perceive funding as a major issue. Presley said the city has earmarked only $1.2 million for the original bridge repair.

As a financial fix, officials are considering a MoDOT cost-sharing program for the B-10 project. Now, the government groups must agree upon a proposal and jointly apply for a state committee review.

“We missed the next deadline for the January cost share review,” Zickefoose said. “We’ll have to wait until the next quarter.”

If approved, the state would split the project cost with the Taney County governments. MoDOT’s Springfield district would cover the $3.5 million designated for the original bridge project, and Taney County officials would supply the remainder of its half of the $18 budget.

Cities split

While the city of Hollister is on board with the B-10 option, the city of Branson is divided. At a special city meeting on Dec. 5, six Branson aldermen split their vote on the MoDOT B-10 proposal.

“I broke the tie to continue the discussion,” Mayor Presley said, noting that the outlet for traffic from the proposed bridge at Branson Landing Boulevard raised concerns from city engineer David Miller and the aldermen. The junction sits in a flood plain as well as at a railroad crossing.

“We will continue to meet with MoDOT to get more answers to our questions,” Presley said. “(The aldermen) have significant issues with the plan.”

She said the bridge issue would be a discussion topic again at the city’s Jan. 8 work session.

Although Taney County commissioners have yet to vote on the B-10 proposal, presiding commissioner Pennel said he would favor the plan when the city of Branson resolves its issues.

The Taney County groups also must contend with the deadlines involved in getting the B-10 option funded and constructed. Zickefoose said the new bridge must be completed before the current bridge can be closed for repairs. MoDOT could permanently close Lake Taneycomo Bridge to traffic within the next five or six years if the repairs are not made. Zickefoose said MoDOT officials would meet with the county and city officials again in early February.