Motorists to move from old Platte Purchase Bridge to new U.S. 69 Missouri River Bridge on Wednesday

Crews will transfer southbound traffic from the Old Platte Purchase Bridge to the new U.S. 69 Missouri River Bridge beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, according to Missouri transportation officials.

All northbound U.S. 69 traffic will not be affected. All work is weather dependent.

This is part of a project to replace the current U.S. 69 Highway Bridge over the Missouri River, according to a MoDOT spokesman. The bridge connects Wyandotte County with Platte County.

A new structure will be constructed in its place and will include multiple lanes and bike/pedestrian access. It will be completely open to traffic in December 2016.

This project is shared by the Kansas Department of Transportation and MoDOT. For more information about the project, follow MoDOT on twitter at twitter.com/MoDOT_KC, #us69moriverbridge or the website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.

The Missouri Department of Transportation urged all motorists to always wear safety belts, follow posted speed limits and be alert for slowed traffic, narrowed lanes or a reduced number of lanes during construction and maintenance work.