Hollister bridge project canceled due to cost

A roundabout had been proposed for the bridge to provide relief for the daily traffic congestion at the intersection of East Highway 76 and Business 65 in Hollister. The project’s cost had originally been estimated at about $800,000, but when bids were opened in early November, the lowest was $3.2 million.

“Both the city and the county knew the roundabout was a temporary solution to the traffic congestion until the Missouri Department of Transportation could construct a new four-lane bridge over Taneycomo, and they were willing to invest the $800,000,” Branson City Engineer David Miller said in a news release. “But now, the city and county feel like the project isn’t worth the $3 million because it’s not the permanent fix that’s needed.”

The original cost estimate had been based on using blasting materials to clear out the rock bluff on the south side of the intersection. That bluff was later determined to be too close to the highway to blast and would require machinery and extra time.

According to the release, MoDOT doesn’t plan to widen the bridge or build another bridge for at least eight years.

In the meantime, city and county officials are considering temporary solutions, including a manually controlled traffic system during morning and afternoon peak times.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Nov. 15 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.