Construction of a new freeway has closed the southernmost rural road in Douglas County.

This week, crews are putting up girders for two bridges along the new U.S. Highway 59 between Lawrence and Ottawa.

The work has closed a stretch of North 1 Road, which runs along the Douglas/Franklin County line and also is known as Woodson Road. The closure is between existing U.S. 59 and East 1300 Road.

The closure will remain in effect during daylight hours only, said Kimberly Qualls, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Each bridge will be wide enough to carry two lanes of traffic, plus provide paved shoulders.

In all, the new freeway’s construction costs are estimated at $157.5 million. The project is set to be finished in late 2012.