East Overpass Lighting Project Underway, Completion Expected By December

Construction has begun on the Interstate 44 Sullivan east overpass at Highway AF and Flying J exit, which will bring signalization to the dangerous intersection.

Gerstner Electric, Inc., Fenton, was recently awarded the project, funded by the Missouri Department of Transportation for $861,771.50. Two other bids had been submitted for the project that included: Reinhold Electric, Inc., St. Louis, $866,554.32 and Meyer Electric, Jefferson City, $939,534.22.

According to Sullivan City Engineer Robert Schaffer, crews began removing portions of the guardrails in the project area and working on widening turn lanes in the project.

This type of work will continue through the coming weeks and months with officials urging caution in the construction zone.

The project is a joint effort between the City of Sullivan, Oak Grove Village, Missouri Department of Transportation, and a 50/50 cost-share.

The City of Sullivan and Oak Grove will pay $485,000 of the project through joint transportation funds collected through sales taxes.

The project originated in 2011-12 and went through several different designs and layouts before the current project came to fruition. 

The intersections involved often provide confusion for motorists and tractor-trailer operators who are unfamiliar with the flow of traffic and stop signs. The traffic lights/signalization is expected to provide a safer and better traffic flow in the area.

The completion of the project is scheduled no later than December, pending weather working days.