RICHMOND – The Route J Bridge between Hardin and Missouri Highway 13 is near completion. “The bridge deck has been poured,” Missouri Deparment of Transportation spokesman Markl T. Johnson reported. The deck went in two weeks ago, Johnson said, adding the project involves more than improving the span over Crooked River. “Roadway removal and replacement will be done on each end of the bridge over the next few weeks,” Johnson said. “Barrier curb will be installed after that, which will be the end of March.” The work could be done in the next two to three weeks. “The contractor is hoping to have the bridge open the first part of April, weather permitting, of course,” Johnson said, before this week’s rainstorms. The bridge could have been completed by Dec. 1, 2020, if work had started in August as planned. Area farmers rejected that starting date, stating they would have faced a difficult time getting crops to market if they had to detour, taking Highway 13 north to Richmond, east on…