End of an Era: Historic Pleasant Hill Bridge to Be Replaced in 2026
Replacement of Pleasant Hill’s Historic Green Truss Bridge Moves Forward
Pleasant Hill, MO – For nearly eight decades, the green steel trusses of the Dr. Fred L. Seevers Memorial Bridge have carried travelers across Big Creek and offered cyclists and hikers a connection to Missouri’s beloved trail system. Built in 1948, the bridge has stood as both a piece of Pleasant Hill’s landscape and a marker of mid-20th-century engineering.
Local residents know it simply as the “green bridge,” a landmark that has become part of the town’s identity. But change is coming. In 2026, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will begin work to replace the structure with a modern girder-style bridge, bringing this chapter of Pleasant Hill’s history to a close.
Why the Change?
While still safe for travel, the 1948 bridge has reached the end of its useful lifespan. Its aging steel trusses and design no longer meet today’s standards for traffic weight loads and long-term durability.
MoDOT officials have confirmed that replacement is scheduled, with a letting date set for November 2025. Engineers have been engaged, and contractors are preparing bids. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and wrap up by the end of 2026.
The new bridge will be a girder-style structure, which is easier to maintain and more economical than a truss bridge.
Community Significance
What makes this project more than routine roadwork is the historic and cultural importance of the green bridge. Its bright trusses are not only an iconic Pleasant Hill sight but also a gateway to the Rock Island Trail, which links to the famous Katy Trail and Missouri’s statewide trail network.
Resident Jeff Wilson has collected historical records about the bridge’s construction, its namesake, and its role in Pleasant Hill’s growth. Meanwhile, community members like Mark Guffey are advocating for ways to preserve part of the bridge’s heritage by keeping the bridge and making it a monument even as replacement moves forward.
Former Mayor, Mark Guffey commented on Facebook, “Already spoke to MoDot, have an engineer and spoke with a company who is bidding the replacement project. Really need to get the powers that be behind the idea and look at feasibility of a location(s). Jeff Wilson has gathered bunch of historical information on the bridge. Very interesting.”
About the Project
- Location: MO Route 7, just north of Raffurty Road and south of 1st Street
- Built: 1948
- Replacement Design: Girder-style bridge
- Construction Zone: MO Route 7 from MO 291 to MO 58
- Estimated Cost: $6–8 million (state and federally funded)
Construction and Traffic Impacts
- Timeline: Spring 2026 – End of 2026
- Road Closure: MO 7 CLOSED between MO 291 and MO 58 for the duration of construction
Detour Routes
Drivers are encouraged to detour using MO 58 and MO 291.
Rock Island Trail Impacts
- The trail will be intermittently closed for demolition and key construction stages
- At other times, it will remain open
- A catchment system will protect trail users during overhead work
- No signed detour will be provided during temporary trail closures
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why not build a new bridge while keeping the old one open?
Building on the existing alignment avoids costly right-of-way purchases and reduces utility impacts.
Q: Why don’t we see truss-style bridges being built anymore?
Girder-style bridges can span longer distances, reducing both construction and maintenance costs.
Looking Ahead
When the green truss bridge finally comes down, Pleasant Hill will gain a modern, efficient crossing. But for many residents, the larger question is how to honor the memory of the Seevers Bridge.
Could a portion of the truss be preserved as a trail landmark? Could signage or a historical marker tell future generations about its role in Pleasant Hill’s story?
What is certain is that the Dr. Fred L. Seevers Memorial Bridge is more than steel and bolts. It is a part of Pleasant Hill’s fabric soon to be replaced, but not forgotten.