JEFFERSON CITY – Summer vacations are on the horizon and with most vacations come travel. To keep motorists informed of current and upcoming work zones and traffic impacts in central Missouri, the Missouri Department of Transportation has developed a list of notable work zones to look out for this summer:
- U.S. Route 63, Columbia – Bridge substructure improvements on the southbound Route 63 bridge over Bonne Femme Creek begin Tuesday, May 1. One lane will be closed on southbound Route 63 from south of the Discovery Parkway to the bridge. The lane closure will be in place until mid-June.
- U.S. Route 54, Jefferson City – Pavement resurfacing and bridge improvements on six bridges along Route 54 from the Missouri River Bridge to Stadium Boulevard will begin Monday, May 7. Motorists will encounter lane and ramp closures on Route 54 between the Missouri River Bridge and Stadium Boulevard. Work will begin in the eastbound lanes of Route 54. No work will occur during the Memorial Day weekend and all lanes will be open. Work will resume after Memorial Day and a single lane closure in only one direction will continue on Route 54 until the project is completed in early November.
- Interstate 44, near Jerome – Bridge repairs to the I-44 bridges over Smith and Tater Hollow will begin on Tuesday, May 29. Work will begin on the westbound I-44 bridge on May 29 and will reduce westbound I-44 traffic to one lane between mile markers 171-173 until the end of June. Work on the eastbound I-44 bridge will begin on July 27 and will close one lane eastbound lane of I-44 between mile markers 171-173 until August.
- Interstate 44, Laclede/Pulaski/Phelps counties – Resurfacing of Interstate 44 will take place between mile markers 145-177 starting June 4. Evening lane closures of I-44 between mile markers 145 and 177 will occur weekdays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Missouri Route 5, Camden/Laclede counties, Pavement repairs will be made on the Route 5 Shared Four Lane between the Route 7 interchange and the Route 64 intersection in Lebanon. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin in early June. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction during the work. The repairs are scheduled to be completed by November.
- Missouri Route 87, Boonville – The Route 87 bridge over I-70 is scheduled to be replaced in July. The work will require a full closure of Route 87 at the bridge. The replacement is scheduled to be completed this fall.
- U.S. Route 54, Kingdom City – Bridge rehabilitation work is underway on the westbound Route 54 bridge over Interstate 70. During the first stage of work one lane of westbound Route 54 will be open across the bridge. For the second stage of work, two lanes of Route 54 will be open. The westbound I-70 on-ramp to Route 54 (Exit 148) will be closed during both stages. A temporary exit ramp has been constructed approximately two miles east of Route 54 on Interstate 70. The temporary ramp will have westbound I-70 traffic detour via the outer road to Old U.S. Route 40 to Route 54. Work is scheduled to be completed in late May before the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
- U.S. Route 54, Fulton – Bridge rehabilitation work is ongoing on three Route 54 bridges on the north side of Fulton. Eastbound and westbound Route 54 traffic is head-to-head, separated by a concrete barrier, and reduced to one lane in each direction on the north side of Fulton. The westbound Route 54 off ramp to Business Route 54 and the Business Route 54 on-ramp to eastbound Route 54 are closed. Work is scheduled to be completed in late May before the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
In these work zones, drivers may encounter congestion during peak travel times, such as daily rush hours and weekends, including Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Motorists should pay attention to all signing, follow the posted speed limits, and stay alert for slowed traffic, narrowed lanes or a reduced number of lanes. Where two lanes merge into one, drivers should take turns merging every other car, like a zipper.
Information on all MoDOT work zones statewide is available up to a week in advance on the department’s Traveler Information Map located at www.modot.org. The map is available as a free app available for iPhone and Android phones. The map also displays current traffic speed conditions and live camera views. Motorists can also call MoDOT’s 24/7 customer service toll free at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).