St. Joseph, Mo. – The Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph was closed on Monday, Nov. 10, after being struck by an oversized load. Following evaluations, crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation have determined that the bridge will remain closed.
One of the bridge’s four support girders was damaged, causing it to separate from the bridge deck. Due to this, and the pre-existing condition of the bridge deck, the bridge will remain closed to all traffic until it can be replaced.
A project to replace the bridge was scheduled for an October 2026 contractor letting but is being accelerated to the spring of 2026. More information regarding the project, including details about a public meeting scheduled for December, can be found on the project webpage at: https://www.modot.org/projects/gene-field-road-bridge-replacement-over-interstate-29-buchanan-county.
Traffic Impacts: Gene Field Road is closed at the bridge over I-29. Due to an ongoing City of St. Joseph project on Woodbine Road, traffic is restricted between Karnes and Cook Road. The city has implemented a detour directing motorists on the east side of the bridge travel east on Gene Field Road to Bishop Road, then to Cook Road. For more information, please visit: https://www.stjosephmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx.
MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down, and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.
Get project and work zone news straight to your email by signing up for eUpdates. Information is also available 24/7 by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or by connecting with us on social media.
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