National and James River construction to close lanes beginning October 1

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that one northbound and one southbound lane of National Avenue on the bridge over James River Freeway will be closed during daytime hours beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, and lasting into the week of Oct. 5.

Crews will begin removing a concrete median down the center of the bridge.

Crews will close the lanes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 1-2.

The outside through lane will be open in each direction and a very short left-turn lane will be available for National Avenue drivers who need to access James River Freeway. Driving delays are expected during the work.

No work is planned over the weekend and all lanes on National Avenue will be open to traffic.
However, on Monday, Oct. 5, crews will resume work on the National Avenue bridge. Each day through the week, a lane in each direction on the National Avenue bridge will be closed during the day.

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule.

Starting the week of Oct. 19, more extensive work is scheduled to begin on the project.

That’s when long-term lane closings and traffic shifts will be needed on National Avenue between Bradford Parkway north of the bridge and Kingsley Street south of the bridge over the James River Freeway.

Drivers can expect slow-moving traffic with delays getting through the work zone, with workers and equipment set up close to traffic.

CoxHealth takes first place in contest encouraging biking, walking to work

CoxHealth has won first place for a second year in a row in the 2009 Bike, Bus, Walk to Work Week Challenge sponsored by Ozark Greenways.

The Cox Fitness Centers (represented by group exercise coordinator Sheryl Deboer, right) accepted the BBWW trophy recently. Cox won in the large-size business category for having the most participants in this year’s challenge.

Ozark Greenways says more than 90 businesses and schools participated in the challenge to use bicycles, the city bus, walking and carpooling as transportation to and from work or school.
Fitness Centers director Chris Flouer says he’s proud that so many Cox employees found other ways to get to work besides driving a car.

“This shows we are not only a leader in health care, but we are leaders in our community,” says Flouer.

Screenings determine your risk for osteoporosis

Next year, studies estimate more than 52 million U.S. men and women aged 50 or older will suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass. The majority may never know until they suffer a fracture from a minor fall, or in advanced cases from a sneeze or even spontaneously.

CoxHealth can help you determine your risk for osteoporosis at an osteoporosis screening, sponsored by The Women’s Center at CoxHealth Friday, Sept. 18. People found to be at an increased risk of osteoporosis can also get a bone density screening for the low fee of $25.

“Screenings for osteoporosis are important to prevention and early detection,” says Patti Roper, RN, CDT osteoporosis nurse educator. “For most people, osteoporosis is a preventable disease if they do the right things, such as getting the recommended daily amount of calcium, doing weight-bearing exercises and not smoking. For those who don’t get screened and take other preventative measures, osteoporosis can be a painful and life-changing disease.”

Screenings are for those ages 21 and older. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 269-LADY. Screenings will be held in Suite 110 of the Turner Center, 1000 E. Primrose.