(KLZA)--U.S. Highway 159 is now open from Route 111 at Big Lake, Missouri to Rulo, Nebraska after being closed for over six months.

The Missouri Department of Transportation, in a news release, said Route 111  (Lake Shore Drive) along Big Lake between U.S.159 and Route 118 also opened Thursday.

Both routes had been closed due to flooding in late March. The two routes opened up for 16 days in September, but MODOT was forced to close them again after a new round of rising water covered the roads.

When water receded on U.S 159 earlier this week, crews were able to complete shoulder and roadway repairs. Water on Route 111 receded Tuesday and crews were able to remove the minimal debris and make small repairs in order to reopen the roadway.

The Little Tarkio Creek Bridge at Fortescue remains closed and will need to be replaced. MoDOT said the replacement project is scheduled for spring of 2020. U.S. 159 will remain closed east of Route 111 at Big Lake until the new bridge is complete.