Rehab Work Begins on Washington Street Bridge

Construction workers from Double Arch Construction, LLC, of Florence, Mo., are on site today at the Washington Street Bridge, starting to shore up the structure.

The work area has been fenced off and about a half dozen workers are concentrating on the pillars under the south end of the bridge to help get the rehab process going.

A Double Arch spokesman said the weather has prevented them from starting any sooner on the bridge.

Council approved the bridge rehab in mod-October.

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The mayor of Sedalia issued the following statement Monday morning:

“Today marks an exciting step forward as construction begins on the Washington Street Bridge. This is a project our community has been waiting on for a long time, and I appreciate the patience residents have shown along the way. Because this bridge crosses an active railroad, the work required detailed engineering and careful coordination.

"The design went through multiple professional reviews, including MoDOT approval and independent railroad engineering review, in addition to the plans prepared by HDR. This process ensured the bridge meets strict safety standards and will serve the community reliably for decades.

"With those steps complete, it is encouraging to see Double Arch Construction now on site and work moving forward. This is an important investment in our infrastructure, and today’s progress reflects a commitment to doing the work carefully and correctly.” – Mayor Andrew Dawson.

According to a press release from the City:

"The City of Sedalia has officially begun repair work on the Washington Street Bridge, marking a major milestone in a project that has taken longer than anyone wanted. City officials acknowledge the patience shown by residents and businesses and emphasize that the extended timeline reflects the care required to ensure the bridge is repaired safely and correctly.

After structural concerns were identified, the City engaged HDR Engineering to evaluate the bridge and develop a repair plan that meets all required safety standards. Because the bridge crosses an active railroad, the project required detailed engineering, multiple layers of review, and careful coordination before construction could begin.

In October 2025, the City of Sedalia issued Requests for Bids for the Washington Street Bridge repair project. Following the bid process, the project was awarded to Double Arch Construction LLC. Crews were onsite in November and December 2025 to conduct additional field assessments and verification work."

As construction continues, the City is asking the public to remain clear of the active worksite and respect safety barriers. Unauthorized access to the work area creates serious safety risks and can result in the project being shut down by the railroad or state regulators, including Union Pacific Railroad or the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Residents, visitors, and media are encouraged to observe from a safe distance and allow crews the space they need to complete the work efficiently and safely. The City will continue to provide updates as construction progresses and as additional milestones are reached, with public safety, transparency, and accountability remaining top priorities throughout the project.'

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During the most recent Council session, City Adminitsrator Wirt also provided an update for the Washington Street Bridge rehab project, saying that the engineer submitted a shoring plan to Union Pacific for concrete forms and equipment, and received final approval. A startup meeting was scheduled for last Tuesday with staff members. “He is very anxious to get started,” Wirt said of the project engineer. “Weather pending, he should be starting any minute. It’s good news to get that rolling.”

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