Festus, MO – Drivers in Jefferson County should plan for delays tonight as MoDOT closes a major access point to Interstate 55 for overnight bridge construction.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the ramp from Veterans Boulevard/Route A to northbound I-55 will be closed tonight, Friday, December 12, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be installing girders for the I-55 bridge over Third Street, a project expected to cause brief but repeated overnight impacts throughout the winter construction season.
MoDOT says drivers attempting to enter northbound I-55 from Route A will need to follow a posted detour using U.S. Route 61/67 and McNutt Street. The agency advises motorists to allow extra time, especially if traveling toward the St. Louis metro area early Saturday morning.
While the closure is limited to a single ramp, the impact is expected to affect neighborhoods in the Festus and Crystal City area as local traffic diverts onto nearby surface streets. MoDOT notes that crews will reopen the ramp by 5 a.m. Saturday, weather permitting.
No additional closures were announced, but officials say more nighttime work zones are likely as the bridge replacement continues. Drivers can check real-time conditions using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map.
Residents who regularly rely on the Route A interchange are encouraged to plan ahead and use caution near the construction zone.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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