MODOT meeting explains Taneycomo Bridge options
By Gary J. Groman
What a difference a year makes. It was just about a year ago this time when the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) dropped the bomb that the Business Highway 65/MO 76 Bridge across Lake Taneycomo between downtown Branson and Hollister (Bridge) would be closed for up to a year for rehabilitation and that the Highway 76 traffic would be detoured through Hollister to the Highway 65/Hollister Interchange and back to Branson via Highway 65 to the Highway 65/76 Interchange.
During the intervening year, thanks largely to the efforts of the officials of the cities of Branson and Hollister, the Taney Country Commission, other elected officials and MODOT’s District 8, it appears that the Bridge will not be closed. At a public meeting held by MODOT in Hollister City Hall on June 17 MODOT presented two proposed options, Option A and Option B, for public comment.
Both options provided that the Bridge would in fact become a two bridge system consisting of the existing bridge and a new companion bridge that would be constructed on its downstream side. Under both options the existing bridge would remain open while the new companion bridge was constructed. It is estimated that the construction of the new companion bridge would start in the Fall of 2009 and would be completed by the Fall of 2010.
At that time, under both options, traffic from the existing bridge would be temporarily rerouted to the newly completed companion bridge for about a year while the existing bridge is rehabilitated. It is anticipated that under either option construction and rehabilitation will be completed and the two bridge system operational by the Fall of 2011.
Under Option A, both the existing and companion bridge will have traffic going in both directions. The traffic on the newly rehabilitated existing bridge will basically come into and out of Branson following the same route is does now. Traffic on the companion bridge will come in and out of Branson via Branson Landing Boulevard.
Under Option A, the traffic control feature at the east end of the bridge will be a roundabout. Those coming from the east will have a choice. If they want to go west on Highway 76, or though the center of downtown Branson, they would chose the existing bridge. However, those wanting to go to Branson Landing, Highway 248, Branson Hills, or north out of town could chose the new bridge to get to those points via Branson Landing Boulevard. Those heading east from Highway 248, Branson Hills, Branson Landing, etc. would cross the new bridge using Branson Landing Boulevard and exit either to East Highway 76 or toward downtown Hollister via the roundabout at its eastern end.
Under Option B, the two lanes of the existing bridge will carry eastbound traffic only and the two lanes of the companion bridge only west bound traffic. The traffic on both bridges will basically come into and out of Branson and Hollister following the same route is does now. The two lanes of west bound traffic will be merged into one lane between the end of the bridge and the new stop light that will be put in at the intersection of Branson Landing Boulevard, the old Long Street, and Highway 76.
Under Option B, the traffic control feature at the east end of the bridge will be a stop light. Those using the bridge from the east will have no choice. Those wanting to go west on Highway 76, or through the center of downtown Branson, and those wanting to go to Branson Landing, Highway 248, Branson Hills, will all have to go through the stop light at the intersection of Branson Landing Boulevard, the old Long Street, and Highway 76.
As stated at the meeting, the difference in the cost of Option A and Option B is about $1 million. Option A will cost $17 million and Option B $16 million. When Option B was initially discussed at the May Partners In Progress meeting MODOT estimated its cost at $20 million plus dollars. The cost has come down because some of the improvements that were going to be built into the Branson Landing Boulevard/Highway 76 intersection were removed and will be included in a possible future project.
Chad E. Zickefoose, MoDOT’s District 8 Transportation Project Manager, mentioned that when most people look at the pictures of the two options side by side that their initial reaction is to select Option B. He went on to explain that as they go beyond the pictures to the way the two options will function on a day to day basis, particularly the potential traffic relief for the downtown area at the Highway 76/Business 65 intersection provided by Option A, many change their minds. He said that currently, of the comments received about 60 percent favor Option A and 40 percent Option B.
