The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that the Chariton County Highway 11 Bridge closure set for today (Monday) has been delayed until further notice. The Burlington Northern - Santa Fe bridge located five miles north of Mendon was set to close on Monday for a replacement project.

On Friday, when contractors began preparations for the closure, migratory birds and their nests were discovered on the railroad bridge. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects these swallows and their nests from April through July.

MoDOT has coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct seasonal construction efforts which will not directly affect the nesting activities of migratory birds. The nesting appears to be later than usual this year in the area and this will prohibit the start of the construction on the Highway 11 Bridge.

Construction will be rescheduled once MoDOT and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have monitored and evaluated this area for further migratory bird activity.