The Missouri Department of Transportation closed the first bridge of the Safe & Sound bridge construction season in Atchison County on U.S. Highway 59 over the Tarkio River bridge, located five miles south of Tarkio, on January 30th.
The contractor has announced they are completing the final steps on the new bridge and plan to have it open to motorists on Monday, April 16. The contractor had planned to open the bridge earlier but weather has delayed the project.
    In Atchison County, 14 bridge projects will be done under the Safe & Sound program. Twelve of the 14 have now been completed. Two bridges remain to be completed this construction season. The Cow Branch bridge on U.S. Hwy. 136 and the Hickory Creek bridge on MO 46 will be replaced this year.