CALLAWAY COUNTY – A project to improve U.S. Route 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City will require the closure of the southbound connector ramp north of Jefferson City later this month.
Starting on Tuesday, August 16, the southbound Route 63 exit ramp to U.S. Route 54 westbound will be closed for approximately 2 weeks. This closure is necessary to safely complete rehabilitation work on the bridge over Oilwell Road.
Motorists will be detoured around the closure while work is underway, directing motorists east on Route 54 and utilizing the Summit Drive intersection to turn around and head westbound. Message boards will be in place to inform drivers of the closure and detour.
“This ramp carries over 10,000 vehicles per day,” says MoDOT Central District Engineer Machelle Watkins. “We understand the inconvenience of this closure, particularly during morning commute periods. We encourage drivers to add additional time for their travel and to expect some delays if they are coming through the area.”
This work is part of a project to improve the driving surface and complete bridge rehabilitation work along Route 63 from Route B in Boone County to Route 54 north of Jefferson City. A contractor working for MoDOT is also upgrading guardrail and making improvements to several bridges.
In the coming months, additional lane closures are planned for the northbound and southbound Route 63 bridges over Turkey Creek near Jefferson City, as well as the southbound Route 63 bridge over Bonne Femme Creek. MoDOT will alert the public of those closures with updates through signs, news releases and social media.
This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.
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