ST. LOUIS – Drivers heading west on I-44 in the city and west from Illinois on I-255 at Jefferson Barracks Bridge need to consider alternate routes or prepare for extended delays Monday.
An emergency bridge closure on westbound I-255 at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge has all lanes closed, after cracks were found during a routine inspection earlier today. The bridge will remain closed for further inspections and repairs. At this time it is unknown when westbound I-255 will reopen.
I-255 is closed from Illinois Rte. 3 in Columbia, to Koch Road, in St. Louis County. Traffic should use westbound Poplar Street Bridge at Illinois Route 3 as a detour. The Jefferson Barracks Bridge was constructed in in 1985. About 60,000 vehicles a day travel the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge.
A collapsed storm drain in the westbound lane on I-44 near Grand has all but one lane closed. Crews are working to replace the drain as soon as possible.