Replacement of bridge near Old Appleton will force detours

Replacement of a bridge on U.S. 61 will require motorists in the area to use a detoured route for much of the summer.

The Missouri Department of Transportation began work this week on the bridge over Hughes Creek, about two miles north of Route CC, between Old Appleton and Shawneetown in Cape Girardeau County.

The portion of the road in the vicinity of the bridge will be closed for about three months as work is underway, according to MoDOT.

Property owners adjacent to the bridge will continue to have access to their properties.

MoDOT proposes motorists use the following detours:

• From the north, U.S. 61 south to Route KK, west on Route KK to Interstate 55, south on Interstate 55 to Route E, then east on Route E to U.S. 61.
• From the south, U.S. 61 north to Route E, west on Route E to Interstate 55, north on Interstate 55 to Route KK, then east on Route KK to U.S. 61.

Once complete, the new 26-foot-wide bridge will be better able to accommodate larger, heavier vehicles, according to MoDOT reports.

The existing bridge was built in 1922 and relocated in 1936. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, according to MoDOT.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641