HARDIN – Route J bridge work over Crooked River by the Missouri Department of Transporation is on hold, state Rep. Peggy McGaugh said. “I worked with the farmers in that area and got (MoDOT) to agree to postpone it until after harvest,” McGaugh said. Corn and soybeans grow on both sides of the bridge, which is the major east-west artery through southern Ray County. The alternative could take farmers miles off the usual path to get their corn and beans to market. “I’m glad that I was contacted by the farmers … in that area,” McGaugh said. “They had a very valid complaint that the timing was so bad during harvest and put their heavy machinery in dangerous places, going around.” By Nov. 11, when the harvest is in, the bridge work can begin without affecting crops, she said. McGaugh said the area’s many farmers deserve thanks for speaking up and allowing her to intervene on their behalf with MoDOT. MoDOT plans to replace the bridge deck and improve the approaches along Route J. The…