Just as one bridge on Missouri Highway 161 is about to open, another could be closed for a while.

An inspection shows the 85-year-old Elkhorn Creek Bridge that carries about 800 vehicles a day near Buell has significant pier damage.

It is closed to traffic, and repairs or replacement could take a while because the Missouri Department of Transportation says it doesn’t have money allocated for the project.

Meanwhile, traffic could begin crossing the new bridge over Coon Creek at Middletown by the end of this week.

The structure is just a few miles north of the one at Buell and a detour has been set up.