The Missouri Department of Transportation and its contractor Fred Weber Inc. will close all lanes of northbound and southbound Interstate 55 between Reavis Barracks and Bayless Road from Friday, March 26, to Monday, March 29, weather permitting.

The closure is needed to demolish the Union Road bridge over I-55.

The closure is expected to begin after evening rush hour traffic on March 26. All lanes on I-55 are expected to reopen before morning rush hour March 29.

Drivers on I-55 wishing to travel between Interstate 270 and Interstate 44 will be detoured to Interstate 44.

Union Road will close March 15 in preparation for the bridge demolition. Union Road is expected to reopen in the fall.

This bridge work is part of a project that consists of rehabilitation or replacement of four bridges between Lindbergh and 4500 S. Broadway, as well as upgrading the interstate lighting and the signals at Lough-borough.

Specifically, the work includes:

• Removing and replacing the two Union bridges over I-55. These bridges will be built in the same location with a higher clearance over the interstate to meet current federal highway standards.

• Rehabilitating the pedestrian bridge on I-55 north of Holly Hills. This bridge will be upgraded with ramps to become compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.