By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Transportation officials have picked the firm that will design the new Mississippi River bridge in St. Louis.
The proposal from HNTB Corporation of Kansas City was selected from among six firms by the Missouri and Illinois departments of transportation. Project director Greg Horn said HNTB has the experience necessary to complete the four-lane, $640 million bridge.
"They've done a number of river bridges throughout the nation," Horn said. "They've done probably more cable-stayed bridges than just about anybody else. And they have worked right here in the St. Louis area. They have an office here. So, they're very experienced, and most of the firms were."
Horn said there will be public meetings on the new bridge starting next month. He said they could start working on the bridge in 2010.