The Missouri Department of Transportation advises motorists that construction began Tuesday on a new Route EE bridge over Prairie Creek near the Boone County line.

The current bridge is in poor condition and has reached the point where a replacement is necessary.

A contractor working for MoDOT was scheduled to close Route EE at the bridge on Tuesday, September 8. Message boards are in place to alert motorists of the closure. Travelers will need to use alternate routes. The road is expected to reopen by Oct. 31 once construction is complete.

This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/prairiecreekbridge. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.