W-52 Overpass and Update Regarding Other Road Projects in Bates County

Mid America Live recently spoke with Bates County Presiding Commissioner  Jim Wheatley and received clarification regarding the W. 52 Highway/I-49 overpass project as well as an update regarding other upcoming road work in our area

W. 52 Highway overpass in Butler: Rebuilding of the roadbed, as well as other needed repairs have been slated to take approximately 166 days beginning as the bridge was closed March 16th. This work is in conjunction with repaving Highway 52 from the Kansas state line east to BB highway.

Expect intermittent lane closures throughout the period for the 52 highway state line to BB highway repaving project.

Regarding the bridge project, at times I-49 may be reduced to one lane under the bridge for both north and southbound traffic. All four ramps to/from I-49 at the bridge may be reduced to one lane but will remain open for the duration of the bridge work.

During the bridge closure, MoDot does not advocate using county roads as a 'shortcut' however, drivers may and will use their own discretion. MoDot is advising for those in Butler who need access to west 52 highway to go north to Passaic, west on F highway to J highway, then south to rejoin 52 near Amoret.

For those who need access to Butler from the west on 52 highway, at the bridge construction take I-49 south to the east 52 highway (Appleton City) exit, go over the bridge and return northbound to Butler, then take the Butler exit at the bridge project.

A word of hope: Good weather could greatly reduce the amount of time the west 52 highway/I-49 overpass will be closed.

J highway in western Bates County: MoDot has announced that all of J highway will be repaved in 2026, dates to be announced.

Crosswalks in Butler: Crosswalks at Pine street and Orange street as well as Ohio street and Orange will be refurbished to include leveling of joining surfaces and fresh paint marking the crosswalks as well.

Crosswalks will be added at west Fort Scott/52 highway and Fran Avenue at the stoplight. This will fit nicely in conjunction with the west 52 highway sidewalk project underway with the city of Butler. The new sidewalk will run from Fran Avenue on the south side of Fort Scott/W. 52 highway to approximately the driveway at the Burch & Liles offices. In the second phase of the project, a sidewalk will be added to run from that location east to approximately Prospect avenue.

 Editor's note: The railroad overpass at Fort Scott street in Butler will be replaced in the future, possibly in a 5-7 or so year time frame. At this juncture, the city of Butler and MoDot is awaiting feedback from the railroad before moving forward. The rehab of the overpass will include widening of the roadway as well as sidewalk or other needed improvements for safer passage pedestrian traffic. 

Updates regarding any of the above listed projects will be provided as they become available.