Apparently an eastbound Interstate 44 bridge over the Gasconade River in Missouri was damaged during a truck accident on April 15, and one lane has been closed since until repairs are made, according to the Waynesville Daily Guide. Repairs aren't scheduled to begin until May 1 at the earliest.
Obviously, that kind of lane closure will slow traffic to a crawl. So highway officials recommend this:
The bridge is located at mile marker 143, just west of the Laclede-Pulaski county line.
Balmer said she encourages people who need to drive between Lebanon and the Waynesville-St. Robert area to consider using the old Route 66 road south of the interstate until repairs are finished.
“We’re really thankful they’re repairing it, but I would recommend for people to take the outer roads to avoid congestion on the interstate,” Balmer said.
Those who take Route 66 over the Gasconade will be treated with this sight:
The photo, by the way, comes from David Backin's swell site about historic bridges on Route 66 in Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.