The Missouri Department of Transportation decided, however, to close the merge lane on the bridge as a precaution. It'll make repairs when it can move a crew off another project.

Even though the merge lane on the southbound U.S. 65 bridge is closed, the loop ramps remain open.
-- Westbound-to-southbound drivers will have to drive directly from the loop into the southbound lanes without being able to accelerate in the merge lane.
-- Southbound-to-eastbound drivers will have to slow down in the right-hand lane of U.S. 65 and turn onto the loop without being able to use the merge lane to reduce speed.
-- Drivers on southbound U.S. 65 traveling south of U.S. 60 will have to watch out for other vehicles quickly merging into the right-hand lane of the highway or vehicles slowing down in the right-hand lane to turn onto the loop ramp to go east on U.S. 60.

MoDOT urged drivers to use extra caution and be prepared for more congestion on southbound U.S. 65 at U.S. 60., and find alternate routes if possible.