HARDIN – The Missouri Department of Transportation has opened the re-decked Route J Bridge over Crooked River in southern Ray County.

Crews began rehabbing the bridge in November 2020. They removed and replaced the old bridge deck and improved the approaches.

The original Route J Bridge was built in 1970 and had reached the end of its projected service life, MoDOT stated.

The bridge project is within Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which is expected to repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

For details about MoDOT news, projects or events, go to www.modot.org/kansascity.