SIKESTON - A portion of northbound I-55 between Sikeston and Cape Girardeau will be affected this weekend by road work.

As Missouri Department of Transportation crews work to repair the Route PP overpass over Interstate 55 in Scott County, northbound I-55 traffic will be impacted. All lanes of southbound I-55 will remain open. The work will repair the damage caused by a dump truck hitting the overpass on Sept. 27.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 14, weather permitting, northbound I-55 traffic will be reduced to one lane from mile marker 80 to 89 as crews begin preparatory work to replace the damaged girder. In addition, an 11-foot width restriction will be in place.

The Route PP overpass will close Friday at 5 p.m. That evening at approximately 10 p.m., both lanes of northbound I-55 will close and crews will begin to replace the damaged girder.

"We realize this will be an inconvenience and tried to minimize the impact as much as possible by scheduling the closure after the Scott City football game," said District Bridge Engineer Jeff Lambert. "Closing the northbound lanes is necessary to make this type of repair."

Northbound I-55 traffic will be detoured to Route 61 from Benton to Scott City.

As traffic volumes begin to increase, one lane of northbound I-55 will open on Saturday, Oct. 15, weather permitting. The northbound I-55 closure and detour to Route 61 will resume at 8 p.m. Oct. 15, as crews complete the girder replacement.

Repairs are expected to be completed on Sunday, Oct. 16, weather permitting.

Signs and warning devices will be in place. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For more information, please contact MoDOT at (573) 380-6342 or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636).