FORTESCUE, MO. – Holt County U.S. Route 159 from Route 111 at Big Lake to Rulo, Nebraska is now open. Route 111 (Lake Shore Drive) along Big Lake between U.S. Route 159 and Route 118 also opened today. Both routes closed due to flooding in late March. In September, after opening for only 16 days, these roadways were once again closed as a new round of rising water covered the roads. Crews from Phillips Hardy Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, completed extensive repairs to these routes in late April. When this round of flooding receded earlier this week crews moved back to U.S. Route 159 to complete shoulder and roadway repairs. Water on Route 111 receded two days ago and crews were able to remove the minimal debris and make small repairs in order to reopen the roadway.
Due to damage received early in this year’s flooding, the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge at Fortescue is closed and will need to be replaced. That replacement project has been pushed back to the spring of 2020, due to this latest round of flooding. U.S. Route 159 east of Route 111 at Big Lake will remain closed until the new bridge is complete. As with all projects, this schedule is subject to change.
During the closure traffic will be directed along a signed detour route from Interstate 29 at Mound City to Route 118, west to Route 111 and south to U.S. Route 159. Motorists are urged to use caution and obey all traffic control, including not moving or going around barricades and following posted detours.
To keep up-to-date on the progress on the roadway recovery projects by MoDOT and our contractors, please visit the NW Missouri Flooding page at www.modot.org/2019-northwest-missouri-flooding. Simply go to the map, click on the highlighted route you are interested in, and it will give you up-to-date information on plans and progress. The web page also has pictures of the damage and repair efforts.
For more information on this or other MoDOT projects visit www.modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map, or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636). In addition, MoDOT provides updated information on Twitter @MoDOTNorthwest and Facebook at @MoDOTNWDistrict. Sign up for customized emails about projects in your area by visiting modot.org and clicking on “Email/Text Updates” at the top of the page.
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Flooding Website