(KLZA)-- The Atchison County, Missouri, Route U bridge over a drainage ditch near Phelps City closed Wednesday afternoon for further evaluation of the bridge deck. 

Phillips Hardy, Inc, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, completed a deck replacement project in early June, reopening the Route U bridge to local traffic. During a follow-up inspection on Wednesday, crews re-closed the bridge to further evaluate of the bridge girders.

For the safety of motorists, the bridge will remain closed to all traffic during the evaluation and subsequent repairs. The duration of the closure is not known at this time. Route U remains closed to thru traffic due to damage sustained during the spring 2019 flooding.