Congestion but no challenges: Officials review I-44 detours in SGF

SPRINGFIELD, MO - Several streets across the city were a lot busier last weekend with thousands of extra vehicles.  That extra traffic was from I-44, which was shut down for some construction-related work.  

MoDOT said it worked for weeks ahead of the closure to get the word out about the closure related to the demolition of the Melville Road bridge.

Officials closed the highway Friday evening.  And, while MoDOT said the shutdown could last as long as Monday morning, crews were able to have the debris cleaned up and all lanes of the highway back open by Saturday evening.

The Springfield Police Department tells Ozarks First that drivers did encounter congestion, but officers didn't report any responses to major incidents.

The Melville-related closures were just the first of several traffic changes and closures planned in the next couple of years during the interstate rebuilding project.  

While I-44 reopened, MoDOT reminds drivers that Melville Road itself will remain closed for at least 140 days for the replacement of the bridge.