Sunshine St. Bridge closure begins

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Drivers are taking alternate routes now that construction has started on the Missouri Route 413 bridge. The bridge is located on Sunshine Street between Marion Avenue and Scenic Avenue and goes over the MNA Railroad.

The construction has already been impacting drivers in the short time the bridge has been closed, with countless drivers turning around. Many drivers say the closure is an inconvenience and will add time to their daily commutes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation had previously scheduled the closure to start on March 17, but construction was pushed back due to the MNA Railroad.

The 5.8 million dollar project is expected to take 4 months to complete, and will replace the bridge and add pedestrian improvements to both sides of the roadway.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes by using the James River Freeway, the Kansas Expressway, the Chestnut Expressway and U.S. Route 160.

Marcus Jackson lives near the closure; he says the traffic and detours add at least another 15 minutes to his commute.

"It looked like it was already started this morning. A lot of people confused. A lot of people, like I said, that's their normal route. And it seems like a lot of people just start turning around at random," Jackson said. "I myself almost got into a wreck because someone just decided to turn right in front of me, you know, that kind of thing. So I think it could be a little bit more organized."

Jackson says he hopes the inconvenience will be worth it for the bridge to be safer in the end. MoDot says access to all businesses will be maintained during the closure. Construction is expected to take 4 months with an estimated completion in early December 2025.