The St. Charles County Highway Department will close the Hopewell Road Bridge by the afternoon of Friday, March 7, due to deterioration found in the support beams. The Hopewell Road Bridge is approximately 0.5 miles south of Highway N and 0.3 miles north of Diehr Road.“The deterioration is not an immediate threat to drivers, but analysis of the structure suggested the time has come to initiate efforts to remove and replace it,” said Craig Tajkowski, County Engineer.The closure is anticipated to last between 5 – 8 days while a temporary crossing is built, after which time the road will be re-opened to traffic. Motorists will be required to use the signed detour route until the temporary structure can be installed. Local traffic can access either side of the closure location, but no through traffic will be permitted. Motorists can use Diehr Road, Highway DD, Sommers Road, and Highway N to get around the closure. Signs notifying motorists of the closure and the necessary detours will be posted. The county will use changeable message boards to inform residents of the closure and re-opening.Engineering work will be underway for the design of a new, permanent bridge. It is anticipated that work will begin on the new structure by the end of 2014. The temporary bridge will remain in place until work begins on the new structure.Bridge to close between Highway N and Diehr Road March 7