A SMT News Report

Travelers in Southeast Missouri should be aware of three major projects on Interstate 55 that will affect traffic in the region.

A stretch of I-55 will be closed this weekend due to the planned demolition of the Route H Overpass south of Blodgett.

The interstate will be closed from exit 80 at Benton, Mo., to exit 69 at Miner, Mo., for one 24-hour period during demolition of overpass. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 61 from 9 p.m. Saturday, June 18 to 9 p.m., Sunday, June 19. There will be a potential for delays on U.S. 61. Residents should consider using other alternate routes if possible.

Route H will also be closed from Route HH to Route U as construction of the new overpass proceeds. The Route H closure will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Completion is anticipated in mid-August.

North- and southbound Interstate 55 between routes J and Z in Ste. Genevieve County will be reduced to one lane with a 16-foot width restriction June 20 through 24 while MoDOT crews perform bridge repairs. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs.

The southbound Interstate 55 ramp in Pemiscot County will be closed so a contractor can make concrete paving repairs. The section of road that will be closed is the ramp from southbound I-55 at Hayti to Highway 84.

The detour, which will be marked with signs, will begin at exit 27 to Route J to Highway 84 and back to I-55 South. Weather permitting, the work will begin at midnight Saturday and is expected to be completed and the ramp reopened by midnight June 27.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636.