WASHINGTON – Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill today announced that their legislation to expedite the replacement of the Riverside Bridge in Ozark, Mo., has passed the Senate. The century-old bridge has been closed for five of the last seven years, with its most recent closure dating back to July 2015.

“Ozark families, small business owners, and emergency responders have all been negatively impacted by the flood-related closures of the Riverside Bridge, and I’m glad that we’re one step closer to a permanent solution,” Blunt said. “Replacing the bridge will provide a reliable travel route across this vital north-south connection over the Finley River. Strengthening Missouri infrastructure is one of my top priorities, and I will continue working to get this bill to the president’s desk.”

The legislation passed by the Senate today would expedite the construction of a new bridge, adjacent to the Riverside Bridge, by eliminating statutory restrictions that prevent new construction in the area identified by experts as the best location for the project.

McCaskill continued, “This is an important step for the families, commuters, and businesses who’ve been dealing with the enormous headache of flood-related closure for far too long. I hope our colleagues in the House of Representatives will help us down the final stretch so the community can move forward with this much-needed project.”

U.S. Representative Billy Long (Mo.) has introduced companion legislation in the House.