Mississippi River bridge in northeast Mo. shut down for a week

LOUISIANA, Mo. (AP) -- A Mississippi River crossing in northeastern Missouri will close for a week starting Friday evening, creating potential problems for commuters and the businesses that rely on them.

The 84-year-old Champ Clark Bridge at Louisiana, Mo., will close for major repairs at 6 p.m. Friday. The repairs were prompted by a fatal accident in December on the narrow, two-lane span that connects northeast Missouri and western Illinois.

Thousands of commuters will be affected, and trucks hauling grain and other goods will have to find alternative routes across the river.

Some businesses in Louisiana are concerned about effects of the seven-day closing since many commuters from Illinois work in Louisiana, about 75 miles north of St. Louis.