Districts Impacted
The current U.S. Route 63 corridor from south of U.S. Route 50 to the Maries River has a history of fatal and serious injury crashes. In the past 10 years, this corridor has seen 190 crashes that have resulted in seven fatalities, 12 serious injuries, and 80 minor injuries.
Public hearing
An open-house style public meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at the Westphalia Knights of Columbus from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Members of the project team will be on hand to provide information, receive direct feedback, and answer questions from the community. There will be no formal presentation, so members of the public can come and go as they please. By participating and commenting, the public can help MoDOT determine what best serves the needs of the roughly 8,000 motorists who use the corridor on an average day while being responsible stewards of available funding.
PROJECT PROGRESS
In 2006, U.S. Route 63 from U.S. Route 50 in Osage County to Rolla in Phelps County was ranked second out of 40 projects for future transportation needs by MoDOT and state planning partners. Subsequently, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was conducted for this 47-mile section of U.S. Route 63. The EIS was completed in 2009 and identified the preferred alternative for improvements to this stretch of highway.
More information: https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-63-environmental-impact-study-osage-maries-and-phelps-counties
The original EIS for this section of U.S. Route 63 underwent a re-evaluation that was completed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration in June 2025. A National Environmental Policy Act re-evaluation was necessary because existing conditions, possible solutions, potential impacts, and related mitigation measures may have changed.
More information: https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-63-environmental-impact-study-osage-maries-and-phelps-counties
Based on the approved EIS, MoDOT is designing a new alignment for U.S. Route 63 in Osage County with the goal of improving safety and traffic flow. These improvements will require right-of-way acquisition.
During the four-week comment period running Aug. 6 – Sept. 4, 2025, the community and interested parties will have multiple avenues to learn about, ask questions, and submit input regarding the proposed realignment.
- In-person - An open-house-style public hearing will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Westphalia Knights of Columbus located at 819 Highway 63 in Westphalia. The project team will be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and receive input about the project. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come and go as they please at any time during the advertised hours.
- Online - All meeting exhibits will be available on this website, and feedback may be submitted using the form below.
- By email – Send comments to CDCR@modot.mo.gov with the subject line: U.S. Route 63 realignment in Osage County.
- By traditional mail – Comments may be mailed to Missouri Department of Transportation, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109, postmarked by Sept. 4, 2025. Please reference: U.S. Route 63 realignment in Osage County.
The project is expected to be part of MoDOT's fall 2027 letting, when contractors submit competitive bids. If awarded by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, a notice to proceed date will also be given. That is the earliest date the contractor may begin work.
Construction could begin as early as fall 2027 and be completed in December 2029.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is it necessary to realign the corridor?
This project will realign U.S. Route 63 from south of U.S. Route 50 to the Maries River in order to address safety concerns. In the past 10 years, this corridor has seen 190 crashes that have resulted in seven fatalities, 12 serious injuries, and 80 minor injuries.
By expanding the current two-lane highway to a four-lane divided highway along a new alignment will also improve the flow of traffic.
What initiated this project?
In 2006, MoDOT and state planning partners presented 40 projects to address future transportation needs and ranked U.S. Route 63 from U.S. Route 50 in Osage County to Rolla in Phelps County as the second-highest need. Subsequently, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in 2009, with the re-evaluation completed in June 2025.
How will traffic be impacted during construction?
Traffic impacts will not be determined until the new alignment is further along in the design process.
Who can I contact with further questions?
You may email cdcr@modot.mo.gov or call us at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636). Please reference U.S. Route 63 realignment in Osage County on your inquiries.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
Sign up for project-specific updates using the form below.
Project News
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Input sought on realigning U.S. Route 63 in Osage County
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – The current U.S. Route 63 corridor from south of U.S. Route 50 to the Maries River has a history of fatal and serious injury crashes. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is exploring a new realignment for U.S...