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ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KTVI) – The Missouri Department of Transportation closed Interstate 55 at the Meramec River on Wednesday night.

MoDOT closed northbound lanes on I-55 at Meramec Bottom Road (the last southbound exit before the river) around 9:45 p.m. The southbound lanes were closed just before 10 p.m.

As the Meramec River continued to rise, MoDOT crews were working to keep I-55 open to north and southbound traffic between St. Louis and Jefferson counties. Unfortunately, river levels increased too quickly.

Route 231/Telegraph is the only crossing open between St. Louis and Jefferson County.  The alternate route at this time is Route 231 to US 61/67 to Imperial Main St.  Interstate travelers can use Interstate 57 in Illinois to cross the Mississippi River at Sikeston, Mo., and reconnect to I-55.

MoDOT has already closed the following roadways between St. Louis and Jefferson counties: Interstate 44, Route 30, Route 21, and Route 61/67.

Check Fox 2’s traffic map to avoid flooded or closed roads.