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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 6, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: John Ogan
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Public Works
<br />City of Columbia
<br />John.Ogan@CoMo.gov
<br />573.239.1837</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Interested parties meeting for Old Plank Road culvert project to be held at Gentry Middle School, Nov. 13</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The City of Columbia Public Works department has scheduled an informal open house meeting regarding the Old Plank Road culvert replacement project. The meeting will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Media Center at Gentry Middle School, 4200 Bethel St.<br /><br />The purpose of this meeting is to present the preliminary design for the replacement of the culvert on Old Plank Road just south of the intersection with Forum Boulevard.<br /><br />The existing culvert structure, built in 1986, consists of three 66-inch corrugated metal pipes with an asphalt roadway above. Over time, the culverts have deteriorated significantly. Approximately 90% of the metal at the bottom is rusted through, causing a loss of essential bedding material beneath the pipes. To address these issues, the project will remove the existing culverts and replace them with a single opening arch structure.<br /><b
r />Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026.<br /><br />An invitation letter was mailed to nearby residents in the final week of October that included an incorrect date. A new letter is being mailed today with the corrected date. Emails and phone calls will also be made to those who received the first letter to ensure they receive the correct information.<br /><br />At the meeting, information and diagrams showing the preliminary design will be available for public review and City engineering staff will be present to answer questions. A public comment form will be available at the meeting and on the project webpage. For more information, visit <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Old-Plank-culvert">BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Old-Plank-culvert</a>.<br /><br /><em>Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in mak
ing the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.</em></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3491">Picture of existing culverts</a><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3492">Culvert location map</a><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3493">Preliminary Plans, Old Plank Road Culvert</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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