HANNIBAL – Weather permitting, June 20, work is scheduled to begin on the intersection improvement project, including a new roundabout, located in Audrain County at the intersection of U.S. 54/MO19/Route J, just north of Laddonia.
The new roundabout will improve safety at this intersection and be similar to the one at Scott’s Corner, approximately 7 miles south of the project. “Access to Route J and the radius from northbound U.S. 54 to eastbound U.S. 54 will be closed for the duration of the project,” stated Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Jeff Kroner. “Route J is scheduled to close on June 20, but this could be extended dependent on site conditions due to weather,” he added.
All construction will be done under traffic, with the exception of a two-week closure of U.S. 54 scheduled following the Labor Day holiday. During this closure, a detour will be in place directing traffic over MO 154 to MO 19. These closures and temporary detour are necessary for the construction of intersection improvements and to provide safety for drivers and construction workers. Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists, as schedule changes occur.
A public information meeting was held earlier this month to provide area residents an opportunity to view project details with MoDOT staff available to answer questions regarding the planned improvement. All information shown at the public meeting is available online at https://www.modot.org/roundabouts-us-route-54.
Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. was awarded the contract by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission earlier this year for $4,117,988 with a completion date of December 1, 2022.
MoDOT will alert the public about the project through signs, news releases and social media. For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org to receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.