Sharp's
Station bridge still under construction
Sharp's Station Bridge is still under construction, and
will remain so at least until the first of May, according
to Platte County Public Works Director Dale Thomas.
Since August, residents around Interurban Road in rural
Platte County from HH Highway to Sharp's Station Road
have been detoured while the bridge is being replaced.
Thomas said the project will be completed by the first
of May. Thomas said the contract for the construction
of the bridge specifies it be completed in 100 total working
days. Dates from Dec. 15 to March 15 don't count as working
days, according to Thomas, due to winter weather.
Thomas indicated the May deadline shouldn't be a problem
to accomplish. Projects remaining to be completed include
the approaches for entering and exiting the bridge and
the guardrail.
A slight snag was hit recently when a contractor incorrectly
installed a Kansas City water line that is attached to
the bridge.
Thomas said the section of water pipe was too long for
the length of the bridge. The contractor, Emery Sapp &
Son of Columbia, Mo., said they received the wrong materials
for the project.
Thomas said the contractor was told by inspectors the
materials were wrong for the project.
Despite the setback, Thomas added the contractor has been
at the construction site this week and wants it completed
prior to the impending spring rain.
Construction on the $985,000 bridge project began in
August.
Funding for the bridge replacement came from federal
bridge funds provided through MoDOT.
Kansas City Missouri Water Services has $112,000 invested
in the bridge replacement because of the water line.
The Sharp's Station Bridge is located over the Platte
River on Interurban Road north of Platte City. On Aug.
12, 2002, the bridge was pushed off the pier into the
Platte River where it was dismantled.
The bridge was the oldest and largest deficient bridge
in Platte County.
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