THEODOSIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is giving away a significant piece of Ozark County history — the Theodosia Bridge — at no cost to an approved recipient.
The 1,816-foot bridge, which spans Bull Shoals Lake on Highway 160, is now available for relocation and reuse. Eligible applicants include government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private individuals. Proposals must be submitted to MoDOT by January 9, 2026.
The bridge, constructed in 1951, features a distinctive camelback through-truss design and is recognized as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places due to both its engineering and its historical connection to the creation of Bull Shoals Lake.
MoDOT’s offer to give away the bridge is part of a larger infrastructure project to replace the Theodosia crossing. That construction remains years away, as the department is still conducting environmental and geotechnical studies to assess the impact and feasibility of a new structure.
Though interest in repurposing the bridge locally has been strong — particularly for use in low-water crossings — Ozark County officials believe the cost of relocating the bridge could reach into the millions, making it financially unviable for the county.
To help offset expenses, MoDOT is offering reimbursement equal to the cost of demolition — available only to recipients who dismantle and remove the bridge themselves. If MoDOT is required to remove and set aside the structure, this reimbursement does not apply.
Applicants are also encouraged to explore additional funding sources, including:
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The Recreational Trails Program through Missouri State Park.
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The Transportation Alternatives Program through MoDOT
Federal rules prohibit using other Title 23 transportation funds on the bridge once demolition cost reimbursement is granted.
The Theodosia Bridge consists of:
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Ten riveted camelback truss spans
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Concrete abutments, wingwalls, and column piers with web-walls
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A concrete deck with a bituminous surface topping
Originally funded by the federal government in response to the impoundment of Bull Shoals Lake, the bridge was built by the Maxwell Bridge Company of Kansas, with steel trusses fabricated by Stupp Brothers Bridge and Iron Company.
Interested parties can find proposal guidelines, a checklist, and detailed bridge specifications at:
www.modot.org/freebridges
Proposals must outline:
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A plan for dismantling and relocating the bridge
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Projected costs
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Intended future use
Additional information is available through MoDOT’s Historic Preservation Section by phone at 573-526-4778 or via email at co_historic_preservation@modot.mo.gov.
