Wrecks close I-55 south of Cape for more than an hour

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed southbound Interstate 55 south of Scott City for at least an hour because of four car collisions.

The first collision occurred north of Benton about 3 p.m., according to a MoDOT official. Law enforcement diverted drivers on a detour at Scott City, according to the official.

There also was a collision on southbound I-55 at the Diversion Channel just north of Scott City that reduced traffic to one lane, according to MoDOT.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the crashes.

Southbound I-55 reopened to traffic about 4:45 p.m.