Area Of I-44 in Springfield To Close For The Weekend

Greene County — Interstate 44 at West Bypass (Route 160) in Springfield will be CLOSED starting at 10 p.m. Friday and will remain closed until as late as 6 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 21-22) to allow contractor crews to remove half of the West Bypass bridge over I-44.

The West Bypass bridge over I-44 also will be CLOSED during the same 20-hour period, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Reason: The east half of the West Bypass bridge over I-44 will be taken down as part of a project to replace the West Bypass bridge over I-44.

Law enforcement officers from the Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department and the Highway Patrol will be set up at various locations during the closing Friday night and Saturday to help drivers navigate the closings.

Traffic Impacts

1. During the closing of I-44, people driving through Springfield on I-44 will be detoured to the south of town — westbound traffic along Route 65 (Mile Marker 82), Route 60 and Route 360 (Mile Marker 69) and eastbound traffic along Route 360 (Mile Marker 69), Route 60 and Route 65 (Mile Marker 82).

Electronic message signs along I-44 will carry that advisory.

Big trucks especially are being urged to use the Route 65-60-360 alternate route.

2. While the West Bypass bridge is closed, the ramps to enter or exit I-44 at the West Bypass will remain OPEN.

* Drivers on northbound West Bypass will detoured onto Kearney Street — east to Kansas Expressway or west to the I-44 westbound on-ramp from Kearney Street.

* Drivers on southbound West Bypass heading toward Springfield from Willard will have to turn west, or right, onto I-44 or stay completely away from the interchange and travel another way.