PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. — A Northland highway will close for emergency repairs this weekend.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to completely close northbound 169 Highway under NW Barry Road at 6 a.m. Saturday. Northbound 169 Highway traffic will be forced to exit on Barry Road.

The highway closure will last until about 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

During that time, crews will repair the NW Barry Road bridge over 169 Highway.

In addition, NW Barry Road over 169 Highway also has a lane reduction, which will remain in place long-term. 

Drivers should expect delays or avoid the area. MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Jeff Hardy said it’s best to avoid the area Saturday.

“We’re going to have our contractor cut out part of that girder,” Hardy said. “Right now, we have a lane shutdown on 169 that is because the vertical clearance on the damaged girder is lower than what is posted out there.”

A semi driver came barreling down the highway then hit and damaged the bridge Wednesday evening. Troopers said the driver left the scene before officers arrived and are still working to find the person responsible for the damage.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asked anyone with information on the accident to call 816-622-0800.

“If you’re an oversized truck, please know your height limit,” Hardy said. “It’s going to cost quite a bit of money to repair this bridge. Unfortunately, we don’t know who damaged it.”

Hardy said it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, probably close to a half million dollars to repair the bridge. 

“They ought to go after the guy who knocked out part of the bridge,” KC resident Dollie Lewallen said. 

Hardy said the bridge is currently safe to travel on, except for the north lane. On Saturday, they’ll put in permanent barriers to block off that section.

Now Northland residents are preparing for more road closures and construction.

“I know the people who are probably headed up to Smithville Lake will probably have some issues,” Kansas City resident Denise Crawford said. “So we’ll probably see some lake traffic backed up I assume.”