Concrete debris falling from an overpass led city officials to close part of Stickney Avenue Thursday afternoon, and reopening isn't expected before early next week.

Gary Stookey, a senior engineer with the city transportation division, said Stickney was closed at Alexis Road after chunks from the Alexis bridge began falling on the roadway. Traffic is barricaded at Matzinger and Benore roads and directed to Enterprise Boulevard.

The Alexis bridge, built in 1975, is due for repairs soon, Mr. Stookey said. Meanwhile, city crews will investigate the decay and remove any loose concrete under the bridge, but because of the snowstorm expected overnight and today, that corrective action won't start before Monday. The city's detour notice predicted reopening Tuesday.

First Published February 25, 2011, 5:36 a.m.