ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Contractors working on the new Bankers Crossing Bridge south of St. Joseph on U.S. Route 59 announced they will close the bridge on Monday, July 13, 2015.

Previously it had been announced the bridge would close on Tuesday, July 14. In order to tie in the new bridge to the existing roadway, U.S. Route 59 will be closed up to 30 calendar days.

Traffic will be directed over a signed detour on Routes 752, 371 and 116.

While this closure will be a brief inconvenience for many, MoDOT said it brings much needed updates to the roadway. The old bridge, built in 1936, carries more than 5,000 cars per day and is structurally deficient. 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.