Missouri Department of Transportation US Fish and Wildlife Service Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Restoration Breakout Session Shannon Kusilek, P.E. Missouri Department of Transportation

Missouri Department of Transportation District Offices

Project Location

Existing Roadway Characteristics 3 bridges in poor condition 3 bridges in poor condition  Structurally and operationally deficient  50 year flood design Narrow driving lanes (10 ft.) Narrow driving lanes (10 ft.) Narrow shoulders (2 ft.) Narrow shoulders (2 ft.) Poor pavement condition Poor pavement condition Steep side slopes – no clear zone Steep side slopes – no clear zone

Existing Roadway Characteristics ADT ADT  950 (2003)  1250 (2023) High % of large vehicles High % of large vehicles  RV traffic  Farm trucks and equipment

Bridge over Squaw Creek

Bridge and Roadway

Overflow Structure #1

Overflow Structure #2

New Roadway Design Project length 2.21 miles Project length 2.21 miles Replace all 3 bridges Replace all 3 bridges 100 year food design 100 year food design  Bridge elevation raised 12 ft.  Roadway elevation raised average 4 ft. 12 ft. driving lanes 12 ft. driving lanes 6’ shoulder width 6’ shoulder width 6-3/4” pavement thickness 6-3/4” pavement thickness Clear zones added Clear zones added

Typical Section of New Roadway

Challenges for New Roadway Environmental Environmental  4(f) considerations  Missouri River floodplain  Wetland mitigation  Eastern Massasuga Rattlesnake Construction Construction  Fill material – 147,000 cy needed  Haul distance for fill – 4 miles round trip Utilities Utilities

Revised Typical Section Moved centerline 40 ft. to the north to avoid the Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge Property Moved centerline 40 ft. to the north to avoid the Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge Property

Borrow Area Location

Designing the Wildlife Pool Must use existing flooding ditches to fill/drain pool area Must use existing flooding ditches to fill/drain pool area Transition depths between 2 ft. And 4 ft. Transition depths between 2 ft. And 4 ft. Create islands within the flooding area Create islands within the flooding area Repair low spots along Squaw Creek levee Repair low spots along Squaw Creek levee Improve access road along north side of pool area Improve access road along north side of pool area Pull off viewing area Pull off viewing area Maintain existing pool Maintain existing pool

Final Design – Wildlife Pool

Wildlife Pool – Before Construction

Wildlife Pool – After Construction

Completed Bridge

Summary of Cooperation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  Donated 147,000 cy of fill material for project  Issued special use permit for access onto 35 acres  Repaired low spots along levee  Allowed use of levee for haul road  Collaborated on design of wildlife pool

Summary of Cooperation MoDOT MoDOT  Modified alignment of new roadway  Designed and oversaw the construction of the wildlife pool  Acquired all environmental permits  Improved access road to view pool  Participated in cost for Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Benefits of Cooperation US Fish and Wildlife Service US Fish and Wildlife Service  New wetland area for migratory birds  New viewing area for the pool  Increased tourist opportunity  New field entrance on east side of Squaw Creek  Repaired levee

Benefits of Cooperation MoDOT MoDOT  Savings $150,000 in Right of Way $150,000 in Right of Way $800,000 in excavation and hauling costs $800,000 in excavation and hauling costs  Construction time was reduced by 20% Haul distance reduced Haul distance reduced  No utility relocations needed  Able to complete project in one season

Questions?