Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews re-opened the bridge this weekend on the Interstate 44 north outer road at Williams Creek, which leads to Lone Elk Park and the World Bird Sanctuary near Eureka and Valley Park. This bridge has been closed for approximately one month while crews replaced it.

See related article:  Lone Elk Park Bridge to be Replaced

The temporary signal used for the bridge was removed. This week, crews will remove the temporary one-lane bypass used during construction.

This bridge is one of 802 Safe and Sound bridges that have been repaired or replaced before 2013. Overall, MoDOT's Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program will repair or replace 802 of Missouri's worst bridges by Oct. 31, 2014.

In the St. Louis region, there are 23 bridges listed in the Safe and Sound program. Five are in St. Louis County, five are in Franklin County, 12 in Jefferson County, and one in St. Charles County.

One of the other local bridges replaced was the one on Missouri Route 109 over Bonhomme Creek in Wildwood.

Safe and Sound signs were posted on all St. Louis-area bridges designated for rehab or replacement.

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Lone Elk Park is one of St. Louis County's outdoor gems and wildlife managment areas where visitors can drive through to view herds of wild bison and elk. Park visitors also can hike, fish, or picnic. park is open daily from 8 a.m. until a half hour past sunset.