Traffic Signals Went Up On East Overpass In 2020

A project years in the making was finally completed in 2020.

The east overpass at the 226 mile-marker in Sullivan was signalized last year.

Traffic lights now guide motorists navigating through the intersections, which became notorious for accidents.

Major improvements have been made on the busy overpass in the last decade, with additional lanes helping move traffic along towards the South Service Road.

However, traffic lights were seemingly put on MoDOT’s back burner. 

While lights were put up at the intersection of South Service Road and the overpass, motorists coming off and pulling onto Interstate 44 had to drive through an array of confusing three-way stops.

Plans came together between between the city of Sullivan, Oak Grove Village and the Missouri Department of Transportation to correct it.

Sullivan and Oak Grove paid a combined $485,000 through joint transportation funds, while MoDOT paid for the remainder.

Gerstner Electric of Fenton submitted the winning bid of $861,000 in June and construction began in July.

Plans for signalizing the overpass began in 2011. Several different designs were proposed along the way.

Sullivan and Oak Grove announced in June 2018 that they were combining efforts.

Sullivan City Council members voted in November 2018 to approve the joint effort and enter into a 50/50 cost share with MoDOT.

The estimated cost back then was nearly $913,000.