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Log.base/Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge | |
|---|---|
 A view of the bridge in 1998 before opening | |
| Coordinates | 38°11′03″N 92°38′39″W / 38.184032°N 92.644248°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  Route MM |
| Crosses | Lake of the Ozarks |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 2,695 ft (821 m) |
| Width | 72 ft (22 m) |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1996 |
| Construction end | 1 May 1998 |
| Construction cost | $43 million |
| Opened | 2 May 1998 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | $1.50+ |
| Location | |
 | |
The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge is a continuous truss bridge in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Opened on May 2, 1998, the bridge connects the east and west sides of the Lake of the Ozarks area. The bridge is over 2,695 ft (821 m) long and 72 ft (22 m). Construction on the bridge began in 1996 and the bridge cost over $43 million.[1] To pay for the cost of the bridge, the bridge is a toll bridge with varying rates depending on the time of year.
History
editThe Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Corporation was founded in 1992 to begin development of the bridge. A feasibility study began and was completed in August 1993 showing that the bridge could be a succesful project. Construction began in 1996 through Jacobs Engineering Group, and construction was finished on May 1, 1998. An opening ceremony was held that day, and the bridge opened to traffic the next day.[1]
In 2011, a new highway leading directly from the bridge to Missouri Route 5, along with further improvements to the bridge itself, was proposed. A financing proposal was submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture for $41 million, but was rejected.[2] As a result, tolls were increased by 50 cents year-round to $3 in-season and $2 out-of-season.[3]
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, bridge tolls were suspended in March 2020, but later resumed in May 2020.[4] The suspension of tolls was the only major length of time in which the bridge was free to use.[5]
Tolls
editConstruction of the bridge has been funded primarily by bridge tolls, mandated for all crossing vehicles. Tolls vary based on the time of year, costing less out-of-season (November through April) than in-season (May through October). Tolls on the bridge are not collected through an auto-collection system, and toll booths have been used throughout the bridge's existence. A report found that implementing an auto-collection system would not be cost-effective.
In 2018, revenues from the bridge totaled $3,822,2213, with an expected increase of 4% in 2019. Approximately $450,000 of the revenue is used to pay bridge and toll booth employees.
As of 2018, remaining costs on the bridge are $17,400,000. The board overseeing the bridge expects that the bridge could be fully paid off by 2026.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, Missouri | FHWA - Center for Innovative Finance Support - Project Profiles". www.fhwa.dot.gov. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ Analysis, J. B. Simpson/LakeExpo com News. "$41 million loan dies for Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge". LakeExpo.com. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
- ^ Field, Dan. "Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge rates rise come April 1". Canton Repository. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ LakeExpo.com. "Tolls Paused! Lake Of The Ozarks Community Bridge Is Free To Use For Now". LakeExpo.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Bechtold, Nathan. "Back To Normal: Lake Of The Ozarks Toll Bridge To Resume Toll Collections On May 4th". LakeExpo.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Bechtold, Ariel Thibodeau & Nathan. "Lake Of The Ozarks' Toll Bridge Could Be Free By 2026". LakeExpo.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.