MoDOT seeking public input for proposed Business Loop and Paris Road improvements
Olivia Hayes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking the public’s input on its proposal for major improvements to Business Loop 70 and Paris Road.
“An at grade intersection where you can make all those different turns, regardless of which direction you’re coming from at that intersection,” said MODOT Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia Project Director Spencer Robinson.
The changes would be part of MODOT’s Improve I-70 Project. Both the Paris Road and the Business Loop Road safety audits conducted by the City of Columbia flagged problems with the intersection.
Plans shared Monday by the Business Loop Community Improvement District include raising the Business Loop to the same level as other roads near the intersection. The Paris Road bridge will also be removed. Once it’s removed, that section of Business Loop will be wide enough for sidewalks and bike lanes.
The area is known for its tricky turns and redirection through nearby neighborhood streets.
“If you’re coming north from like College Avenue and you’re trying to turn either direction on Business Loop, you have to cut through some neighborhood streets to get to old 63, to get to that light, to be able to turn onto business loop,” Robinson said.
The COLT Railroad bridge would be removed, but the track bed would be preserved, widened and fortified. Columbia Parks and Recreation is seeking input on railbanking the COLT line as the first step to a rails-to-trails project.
Robinson said the future improvements will help with the additional traffic expected after the integration of the roundabout connecting the Business Loop to I-70 Eastbound.
“That connects directly to and from eastbound I-70 off of a barrier separated collector distributor road. So it’ll be kind of an on and off point if you’re on eastbound I-70 from the business loop,” Robinson said.
While that roundabout is complete, Robinson said the I-70 connection won’t happen for about another year.
An engineer’s drawing of the new intersection. (Missouri Department of Transportation)
MoDOT and contractor Emery Sapp & Sons will have two public hearings to highlight the basic project plans, construction phasing, and schedule of the Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia project from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at the Boone Electric headquarters and from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at Midway Golf and Games.
MODOT says the construction will begin in 2028.