Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Drivers across Mid Missouri should plan for delays as several road construction and improvement projects continue or begin next week in multiple counties.
Many of the projects will run from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. The impacted counties include: Boone Co., Callaway Co., Camden Co., Crawford Co., Howard Co., Laclede Co., Maries Co., Miller Co., Moniteau Co., Morgan Co., Osage Co., Phelps Co., Pulaski Co., and Washington Co.
Boone County
Crews will be working on Route 763, also known as College Avenue, where concrete curb replacement is scheduled from December 29 through December 31 between Rogers Street and East Ash Street. One lane will remain open while the work is underway.
Interchange improvements also continue along U.S. Route 63 at Route AC, or Grindstone Parkway. While most of the work is not expected to directly impact traffic, motorists are urged to stay alert for crews and equipment close to the roadway. That long-term project is scheduled to continue through Nov. 2026.
Work on the Highway 63 and I-70 Connector is expected to continue for the next two years before completion. MoDOT’s Eric Kopinski said crews will focus on building new bridges over Hinkson Creek in 2026.
“The 63/70 interchange is a lot of puzzle pieces,” Kopinski explained. “If we try to put too many together at once, the impacts would be so significant that it would disrupt traffic even more than it does today.”
At some point over the next two years, drivers will be shifted onto the new eastbound bridge as construction progresses.
In the new year MoDot will start by adding the third lane on I-70 from the Missouri River to Midway.
“Providence over I-70 will be a location where we will demolish that bridge over the summer and work as hard as we can to rebuild that but will be a big impact for the local area,” Kopinski said.
Meanwhile, the North Outer Road 70 east of Columbia remains closed near Little Cedar Creek for a culvert extension project. Drivers will need to use alternate routes, as the closure is expected to remain in place through Feb. 2026.
Callaway County
Several roadside projects are planned through early Jan. Work is scheduled along Route D, Routes J and UU, and Route A, with one lane remaining open in each location as crews flag traffic through work zones. Pavement construction also continues on I-70 between Route M and Kingdom City, with similar lane closures expected as part of the Improve I-70 Program.
Additional delays are possible on I-70, where new pavement construction is underway from west of St. Charles Road to the Callaway County line as part of the Improve I-70 Project. Motorists can expect intermittent and long-term lane closures, with the project scheduled for completion in 2027.
Concrete has been poured on the section of I-70 between Route J and Route M, and only two lanes in each direction will remain open until next fall, MoDOT officials told ABC 17.
The decision comes after reviewing speed and crash data along with consulting with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local first responders, who provided guidance on keeping the roadway safe while construction continues.
“So next spring, you’ll start to see crews back out there really attacking that section hard,” said Kopinski. “From Route M at Hatton Road to Kingdom City, we’ll add a third lane eastbound and westbound on I-70 and rebuild the existing pavement. It will look very similar to what drivers have seen over the past year.”
By this time next year, drivers can expect 12 to 13 miles of six-lane roadway fully striped and open to traffic.
“As we move forward, we’re going to continue to take a close eye and say as we open sections, what makes the best sense for the safety of the traveling public, but also the safety of our workers as well for each area,” Kopinski said.
The US 54 interchange is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
“We’re really hoping and trying hard to complete all interchange work before lake season really goes full speed in the summer,” Kopinski said.
Later this winter and into the new year, additional activity will take place at the Kingdom City interchange. Officials warn that in mid-spring or early summer a bridge demolition will shift drivers onto newly constructed bridges.
“We have to new briges for northbound and southbound US 54 over I-70. We’re going to switch traffic out of those two new bridges and then we’ve got to demolish over one weekend,”
Camden County
Drivers may encounter delays on multiple routes as culvert replacements take place on Route A near Prairie Rose Road and along Route C at various locations from December 29 through Jan. 2. One lane will remain open in these areas, with traffic controlled by flagging crews.
On U.S. Route 54, pavement widening and driveway entrance improvements continue from Business Route 5 to Bumper Hill Road. While one lane in each direction remains open, traffic has been shifted and the center turn lane is closed.
This phase of the project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
Miller County
A culvert replacement project is planned on Route D at Lola Circle from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2. One lane will remain open, and motorists should expect brief delays as crews flag traffic through the work zone.
Moniteau County
The roundabout construction continues at the intersection of Route 87 and Route C.
The intersection remains open but has been reduced to one lane, with temporary signals directing traffic through the area. Motorists should plan for delays, as the project is scheduled for completion in Jan. 2026.
Morgan County
Roadside work is planned along Route 52 between Route FF and Route 135, along with a culvert replacement on Route Y, both running from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2.
One lane will remain open in each area with traffic flagged through the work zone. Roundabout construction also continues at the intersection of Route 52 and Route 5 in Versailles, with completion expected for Jan. 2026.
Osage County,
Crews will be replacing culverts along Route C at various locations from Dec. 29 through January 2. One lane will remain open, and motorists should expect traffic to be guided through the work zone by flagging operations.
Transportation officials are reminding drivers to slow down, remain alert, and obey all posted signage when traveling through construction areas.
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