HANNIBAL –The next phase of work begins on U.S. 61/McMasters Ave as traffic is shifted to accommodate for the temporary southbound lane on Monday evening. This will allow for work on the entrances and the construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters on the west side of U.S. 61/McMasters Avenue between Stardust and Long John Silvers. In addition, curb and gutter work will continue on to the Interstate 72 interchange.
During this time, the section between Stardust Drive and the I-72 interchange will allow right in, right out only turns; no left turns. Once the sidewalk, curb and gutter work is completed on both sides of McMaster’s Avenue, the center turn lane will be reopened. The closure of access from U.S. Route 61/McMasters Avenue to Stardust Drive and Pirate Pride Drive will remain closed through early August, with signage posted to identify the designated turn around for northbound traffic at the U.S. 61/Missouri Route 168 intersection.
“We would like to stress the importance to use caution and obey all work zone signs for the safety of workers and the traveling public," stated Martin D. Lincoln, Jr., resident engineer. "While we are constantly monitoring our work zone, the center lane orange dividers, or ducks, which are being knocked down continues to be a challenge to maintain,” he noted. “From a safety aspect, due to high traffic volume, it is dangerous for workers, to continuously replace each one every time the traffic control is disturbed," he added.
Included in the project is new signage near the U.S. Route 36 interchange with much of the work to be done overnight between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. All lanes of U.S. 61/McMasters Avenue will be resurfaced once the other improvements are completed. The resurfacing portion of the project is expected to take place in September and the project will be complete by mid-October.
The project begins north of the Missouri Route 168 intersection in Hannibal and continues to just north of Warren Barrett Drive. Chester Bross of Palmyra was awarded the project for just over $5.2 million.
Please use caution when traveling through this area, and obey all work zone signs and personnel. Also, please put down your cell phone to help eliminate distractions.
For more information contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636). or the MoDOT Northeast District site at www.modot.mo.gov/northeast, or sign up for specific McMasters Project updates through email and text alerts https://www6.modot.mo.gov/eMoDOTWeb/jsp/signon/signon.jsp.