800 bridge project in full swing

Intro: The director of the 800 bridge project says construction on the bridges could start as soon as next spring. Fanna (FAWNA) Haile-Selassie (HIGH-lay-sel-LAH-say has the time line. RunTime:
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The Missouri Department of Transportation received its wish close to midnight on Wednesday as the Senate approved the 800 bridge project.

But planning for the proposal began approximately one year ago. Two teams remain from five for the bridge contract.

Ken Warbritton is the project director, and he said they should receive the final bids from contractors any time now and make a decision close to November.

Warbritton says MODOT would have had to rethink the whole project had the legislature not approved the plan.

Actuality: WARBRIT2.WAV

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Description: If they didn't approve it, we would stop on the current path we're on. We would have to find some alternate means of getting this contract move forward...that's what was such a concern to us

If the bids are in soon and MODOT makes a decision on time, construction on the bridges should begin next spring.

From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX News.

Intro: Missouri now leads the country in its innovative design to fix over 800 of the state's bridges. Fanna (FAWNA) Haile-Selassie (HIGH-lay-sel-LAH-say) explains why. RunTime:
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A thirty year contract awaits the winning team of contractors who want to fix and rebuild over 800 of Missouri's bridges...essentially giving away Missouri's power over the fate of some of our roadways.

The director of the safe and sound bridge project, Ken Warbritton, says the project is unlike anything MODOT has ever done.

Actuality: WARBRIT.WAV

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Description: They design it themselves, they build it, they finance the cost of that construction, and then they maintain them over a 25 year period while we make them payments.

MODOT will make a decision on who will get the contract close to November, and construction should begin next Spring.

From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX News.

Intro: 800 Missouri bridges will get a face lift now that the Missouri Legislature passed the project. Fanna (FAWNA) Haile-Selassie (HIGH-lay-sel-LAH-say) has more from the Capitol. RunTime:
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The Missouri Department of Transportation has finally received the go ahead from the Missouri legislature to continue on the 800 bridge project.

It's a plan MODOT has had in the works for over a year.

The project will repair or replace many of Missouri's unsafe bridges in five years and maintain them for another 25 years.

However, Ken Warbritton, the project director said despite MODOT's excitement for the plan, the department will not go overboard on financing it.

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Description: We're not going to make a bad business decision just to award an innovative contract. We're going to get good value to get all these bridges fixed.

Construction on the bridges should begin next spring if all goes to plan.

From the state Capitol, Fanna Haile-Selassie, KMOX News.