The Missouri Dept. of Transportation didn’t even have time to fully assess the damage to its roads and bridges from late winter flooding before the next round hit.
“All of those damaged roads are back under water again,” says Ed Hassinger, deputy director and chief engineer for the Missouri DOT. Hassinger estimates the state has at least $20 million in damage to roads and bridges, but work hasn’t been possible because of the high water. The DOT lost at least two bridges completely, and several approaches to bridges that cross the Missouri have been undermined or are not safe for travel, he says.