Ray County recommends removal of long-closed Henrietta Overpass citing safety and funding gaps

Ray County commissioners recommended full removal of the Henrietta Overpass after concluding the structure is unsafe and that replacement is not currently financially feasible. The commissioners said the bridge has been closed for roughly 10 years, concrete is deteriorating and falling from the structure, and replacement costs have risen to about $10 million.

Commissioners reported they explored options with MoDOT, elected officials and engineers but found no viable alternative to complete removal at this point. They also said federal funding for replacement is not available, and that the county does not have the resources to cover the projected cost of rebuilding.

The record shows the commission’s recommendation is removal with no immediate plans to rebuild; the minutes do not include a construction schedule, demolition timeline, or identified demolition contractor. The transcript does not record public-comment reactions or a specific motion text beyond the commissioners’ consensus and a recorded 3-0 vote on related meeting business that day.

Next steps implied by the discussion include further coordination with MoDOT and relevant agencies to plan removal, cost estimates and site safety measures. The minutes do not specify funding strategies, grant applications or environmental review steps.