Portion of Missouri 79 slides away

ASHBURN, Mo. (AP) -- Repairs to a section of Missouri 79 in Pike County may take longer than expected after part of the roadway slid down a hillside.

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed the section of road earlier this month when the pavement began to crack. But recently, the pavement separated completely and slid down a hill.

Heavy rain -- and not last Friday's earthquake -- are being blamed for the damage. MoDOT district maintenance and traffic engineer Mark Giessinger says the soil had simply become saturated.

Repair options are being considered, but MoDOT officials expect it will be at least 2-3 months before the section is reopened. For now, motorists are being detoured to other roads.

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Information from: Hannibal Courier-Post, http://www.hannibal.net