FRUITLAND -- Route J is closed to traffic.

Motorists traveling in the area start using alternate routes today and will continue to use them until Sept. 1, when a relocated Route J reopens.

Travelers en route to Neely's Landing will have to take the long way around to reach their destinations.

County Roads 553 and 525 are two possible alternative routes for getting to the Neely's Landing area, said Bob Wilson, resident engineer of the Missouri Department of Transportation's Jackson office.

Route 553 can be reached off Route 177 at Leemon (see map). It leads to County Road 525, which goes to Neely's Landing along the Mississippi River.

The route is being relocated to make way for a $350 million expansion project by Procter & Gamble Co.

The relocation calls for the moving of a 1.1-mile section of road around the perimeter of the P&G expansion area.

"The construction crew is on or ahead of schedule," said Wilson. "We should have the new route open by Sept. 1."

Some residents in the Neely's Landing area are unhappy with the road closure; they say it will result in an extra 15-mile, one-way drive for them to reach Jackson or Cape Girardeau.

"I just don't think it's very considerate to shut down Route J before the new route is ready," said one resident who requested anonymity.

Lynelle Luther, transportation department project manager for the relocation, explained that groundwork for the P&G construction is under way, preventing any traffic along Route J.

Motorists in portions of the area may be familiar with some other roads that may be used for detours.

People have had to use detour routes before, said Wilson. Route J was covered with water during the 1993 flood.

Motorists won't have to worry about the new Route J being flooded; the new Route J will be out of the floodplain.

Once Route J is relocated and various permits are obtained by P&G, construction will start on the two buildings that will house manufacturing machinery for production of towels and tissues.

P&G recently received some wetland permits needed before starting groundwork on the site. Other permits are expected by November.

P&G announced in mid-April that it would build a $350 million addition to its Cape Girardeau County plant to enable an increase in production of tissues and towels. The expansion, which will result in 20 acres (850,000 square feet) under roof, will create 350 jobs.

Target date for P&G's new operations is in early 2000.

Dumey Excavation is contractor for the excavation and paving of Route J.