JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A short segment of I-70 Drive Southeast in Columbia is set to close in early March for the construction of a new underpass beneath Interstate 70. All businesses will remain accessible, and a signed detour will direct motorists around the closure.
On March 9, 2026, construction crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation anticipate closing I-70 Drive Southeast from just west of Woodridge Drive to Glenstone Drive for approximately 300 days. The entrance to Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast will also be closed. The roadways are expected to reopen in December 2026. Motorists will be directed around the closure via Keene Street and St. Charles Road.
This closure will enable crews to shift traffic on I-70 to construct two new bridges on I-70. This will allow the construction of the new underpass connecting Hanover Boulevard (north of I-70) to I-70 Drive Southeast (south of I-70). See a rendering of the new design here: https://www.modot.org/media/47390.
All work is weather-permitting and schedules are subject to change.
MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.
This work is part of the first project in MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program, Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City, which will add a third lane of travel in each direction to the 20-mile stretch of I-70 between Columbia and Kingdom City. This $405 million fixed-cost contract includes new pavement on all three lanes of I-70 and will also make interchange improvements to the I-70 interchanges at U.S. Route 63 and U.S. Route 54.
Missouri’s FY2024 budget, approved through the state legislative process and governor provides, $2.8 billion in General Revenue to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville. For more information on the Improve I-70 Program and to sign up for program e-mails, visit http://www.modot.org/improvei70.
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.
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