If your workday travel plans include a drive along U.S. Route 59 south across Bankers Crossing Bridge we want to remind you of a closing set to begin Monday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced last week it plans to close the old Bankers Crossing Bridge on Route 59 a day ahead of the previously scheduled closure to being work in tieing in the new bridge to the existing roadway.  Route 59 will be closed for up to a month while crews work to get that done.

MoDOT said traffic will be directed along a detour on Routes 752, 371 and 116.  It said that detour is marked with signs to let travelers know.

The department said while the closure will be an inconvenience for many it will bring a much needed update to that route.

“The old bridge, built in 1936, carries more than 5,000 cars per day and is structurally deficient,” said Marcia Johnson, MoDOT Communications Specialist. “It is 24-feet wide with no shoulders and has limited sight distance, due to the curve of the highway. The new bridge is wider, provides shoulders for safety and realigns the roadway.”