Interstate 29 to close in both directions starting Saturday for Gene Field Road Bridge demolition

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Drivers along Interstate 29 in Buchanan County will want to plan a detour this weekend as construction crews take a major first step toward replacing the damaged Gene Field Road Bridge.

Interstate 29 in Buchanan County will be closed in both directions beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9. to allow for the demolition of the Gene Field Road bridge.

Clarkson Construction Company, in coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will be closing the interstate to carry out the $5.5 million project, which includes a complete replacement of the structure. The estimated timeline for completion -- weather permitting -- is July 2026.

Traffic Impacts & Detours:

• Northbound and southbound I-29 through traffic will be detoured to I-229

• Southbound I-29 traffic must exit at I-29 / I-229 / U.S. Route 71 (Exit 56B)

• Northbound I-29 traffic must exit at I-229 / I-29 (Exit 43)

Local Access Restrictions:

• No access to northbound I-29 from Missouri Route 6 (Frederick Blvd.) – Exit 47

• No access to southbound I-29 from U.S. Route 169 – Exit 50

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and use alternate routes when possible.

The bridge has been closed since last November after it was struck by an oversized vehicle load on Nov. 10. Despite initial attempts to try and reopen it to one lane, a subsequent evaluation showed one of the four main support girders was separated from the bridge deck during the collision, compromising its structural integrity.

Traffic data shows roughly 6,500 vehicles use the Gene Field Road bridge every day, a vital east-to-west corridor for residents. The closure has had a considerable impact on traffic volume along routes like Frederick Avenue.

The plan now -- weather permitting -- is to complete the 63-year-old bridge replacement project by July 1, 2026. The bridge was originally scheduled to be replaced in 2027 before the collision occurred.

The new bridge will be expanded slightly from 22 feet to 26 feet wide, including concrete barriers and new 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, a boost for pedestrian safety.