Route J/M overpass near Taos to close June 2

The Route J/M bridge over U.S. 50/63 will close June 2 so the 43-year-old bridge can be replaced, according to a Missouri Department of Transportation news release.

This closure will directly follow the reopening of the U.S. 50/63 intersections at Liberty/Shamrock and Lisletown roads Thursday. If reopening the Shamrock/Liberty and Lisletown Road intersections is delayed, the Route J/M bridge construction also will be delayed.

During the Route J/M bridge closure, the Route J/M ramps will remain open, except for a few weekends. The bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic in mid-August.

The following signed detour routes will be in effect starting June 2:

Northbound traffic on Route M will access westbound U.S. 50 and Route J by taking eastbound U.S. 50 to Lisletown Road and accessing westbound U.S. 50.

Southbound traffic on Route J will access eastbound U.S. 50 and Route M by taking westbound U.S. 50 to Militia Drive and accessing eastbound U.S. 50.

The first weekend ramps will be closed is June 2-4. Additional traffic control will be in place from 10 p.m. June 2 to 6 a.m. June 4 so the current bridge can be torn down.

Motorists should be prepared at that time for eastbound and westbound traffic on U.S. 50 to be reduced to one lane. U.S. 50 traffic will use the on and off ramps at Route J and M. However, Route J and M traffic will not be able to access the on and off ramps, and U.S. 50 traffic will not be able to access Routes J and M.

Message signs and detours will be posted to advise travelers of the closure.

For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit modot.org/central.