Southbound I-55 reduced; area road contracts approved; flooding closes Scott County road

Southbound Interstate 55 will be reduced to one lane today between the Main Street exit in Jackson to Route 74 in Cape Girardeau as Missouri Department of Transportation crews work on guardrail replacements. Crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and motorists are asked to drive with caution in the work zone.

Nearly $2 million in road contracts get OK

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on Wednesday approved two area road contracts. One contract, for $626,982 with Lead Belt Materials Co. of Park Hills, Mo., calls for improvements to Route H in Perry County and Highway 47 in St. Francois County. Route H will be overlaid with asphalt from U.S. 61 to Highway 51. Work should begin in June and be completed by the end of the year. The second contract, for $1.1 million with Penzel Construction Company Inc. of Jackson, is to replace four bridges, including one in Bollinger County on Route B at Little Muddy Creek. Work could begin as early as June, and the bridge will be closed for up to six weeks during the project.

Flooding closes road in Scott County

Route E in Scott County between Route N and Water Street in Commerce, Mo., is closed until further notice, according to a Missouri Department of Transportation news release. The road is closed due to Mississippi River flooding. For more information, call MoDOT at 888-275-6636.