US hwy 54 thru Mo & Illinois

Always worthwhile checking status of any low bridges along the Mississippi.

I caught a recent report about some of the bridges between Hannibal and St Louis being closed because of floodwaters over the approach roads. At Quincy, one of the bridges was open, one closed, but for now most of the traffic will be funneled across the I-74 bridge, which has high approaches from both directions.

The flood pulse from Wisconsin and Iowa is now moving down toward St Louis.

FYI---When we passed Hwy 61 there was a sign that 54 was closed at the bridge. Didn't say for how long. Anyone planning on going that way might want to check first.

DICK

Thanks for the info, that's the way I will go!

DICK

I crossed the US-54 bridge in my motorhome while they were sandblasting to prep for painting. I had to pull in right side mirrors and somebody had to duck back a little. Under normal conditions, I think there is at least 12' each lane at the road, another foot on the right at mirror level, if oncoming traffic intimidates you.

For some people, like OTR drivers, this is just fine. Others will be "I can't take my car through there!" And they may be right, they can't but someone else can. I think the bridge is plenty wide enough, but it is up to you, what your own limits will be.

the bridge at Louisiana, MO is okay. It is an older truss type bridge but we have crossed in several times with our 5th wheel.

How is the bridge at Louisiana, MO??? I ask because there is a bridge on US Hwy 45 in Illinois crossing the Ohio River to Paducah, Ky that I didn't care for driving a car, much less a MH & toad. Hoping this one is not that bad.

Thanks
DICK

Thanks to all for the replies. Helped in planning my route.

DICK

Regularly (4-8 times a year) take 54 as diagonal route from Fort Scott to I-72. Road is usually decent, not much heavy truck traffic, but a but slow with local rural traffic and small towns. The new bypass zips right past Osage Beach, but Camdentown traffic is still a pain at height of tourist season with people not knowing where they are going and suddenly slamming on brakes to enter a driveway or making impromptu left turns from the right lane.

When in more of a hurry and still not wanting to take I-44/I-55, I will go up to KC, take I-35 the short distance to Cameron, and follow US-36 to meet with I-72. 36 has been upgraded to 4-lane divided and bypasses, or is controlled access through, all of the larger towns and small cities, For a steady 65mph all the way across. I average 45-50 mph crossing Missouri on US-54, which for travel tome negates anything gained by the shorter distance.

US-54 is a decent "motorcycle road" from about Nevada to Camdentown, which might be the opposite of a goog RV route for some. Lots of short hills and moderate speed curves, just a bit of a problem with occasional slow vehicles on blind approaches. Camdentown, however, you want a steel cage around you, everybody is driving distracted.

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Bowling Green, where 54 ends

US-54 does not end at Bowling Green, MO. It continues across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO and continues on to Griggsville, IL.

Fred_n_Jo, I forgot about the Louisiana crossing. Thanks for the correction.

Fred_n_Jo wrote:

Bowling Green, where 54 ends

US-54 does not end at Bowling Green, MO. It continues across the Mississippi River at Louisiana, MO and continues on to Griggsville, IL.

Fred_n_Jo, I forgot about the Louisiana crossing. Thanks for the correction.