CHESTER BRIDGE SHOULD REOPEN LATER TODAY

McBRIDE, Mo. Officials of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department said Thursday that Route 51 in Perry County between the Chester Bridge and McBride will be opened by 6:30 tonight.

Officials advise there may still be some water on the road and motorists should be cautious when traveling the stretch of Route 51 between the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. and the Chester Bridge.

Signs will be posted along the stretch advising drivers of road conditions, as well as cleanup and repair work which will continue for several days.

Because of the extensive damage to the levee south of Route 51, it could become necessary to close the section of highway on short notice due to sudden rises in the river level, officials said.

The highway has been closed since the Bois Brule levee broke in the early morning hours of July 25, flooding the 28,000 acres of farmland within the levee system.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing its work to repair the damaged levee.