Rust closes part of western Missouri bridge

KANSAS CITY — A heavily traveled bridge over the Missouri River has been partly closed after inspectors found damage from rust.

Missouri Route 291 carries more than 10,000 vehicles a day over the river between the Kansas City suburb of Sugar Creek and southern Clay County.

The Missouri Department of Transportation on Tuesday closed the northbound lanes of the 60-year-old bridge.

The agency plans to divert northbound traffic onto the separate, southbound section beginning next week.

Until then, MoDOT said, motorists who normally use the Route 291 span should cross the river on the Interstate 435 or Missouri 13 bridges.

Engineers are studying the best way to repair the rusted northbound bridge, which could remain closed for several months.