OREGON, Mo. – The removal of the U.S. Route 59 bridge over Interstate 29 is taking longer than originally anticipated. Contractors working with the Missouri Department of Transportation had hoped the process could be completed in one night, but will need at least two nights to finish. Crews began removing the overpass Monday night and will continue the removal process Tuesday night, Aug. 26. During the overpass removal, all traffic on Interstate 29, both northbound and southbound, will be rerouted to the on and off ramps at Exit 67, the south Oregon exit. Crews will close I-29 and reroute traffic beginning at 7 p.m. They plan to reopen at least one lane of I-29 in each direction by 6 a.m. Wednesday.

During the bridge removal process, there will be no access to U.S. Route 59 from southbound I-29 and travelers on U.S. Route 59 will be unable to access southbound I-29 at this location. In addition, Ventura Drive will be inaccessible from northbound I-29. Throughout the bridge reconstruction project, northbound motorists on I-29 will not be able to access U.S. Route 59 to Oregon at Exit 67. Motorists will need to use caution during this work and may experience some delays.

U.S. Route 59 has been closed in this location since Aug. 17 for a bridge replacement project. The U.S. Route 59 closure is anticipated to continue through October.