Commuters in Columbia should gear up for some delays as the Missouri Department of Transportation initiates the next phase of their Improve I-70 program. Starting last night, there will be ongoing overnight, single-lane closures on eastbound I-70. The closures, taking place between Boone County Route B (Paris Road) and U.S. Route 63, are necessary for the highway's realignment and reconfiguration efforts. According to MoDOT's recent press release, these nightly disruptions, running from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Saturday, will continue through Feb. 15, provided the weather stays cooperative.
While Columbia sleeps, construction crews will be hard at work; although troubled by cold weather before, the reconfiguration scheduled on I-70 seems to be back on track. Motorists are advised that the construction-related lane closures could extend beyond the current forecast, pending the whims of Mother Nature. As part of the extensive Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City project, expect to encounter various lane closures and construction activities set to continue until 2027. The frequent reminders by MoDOT for drivers to "Buckle Up. Phone Down." stress the importance of caution in these zones.
The Improve I-70 program envisages a significant upgrade to the highway. The end goal is to add a third lane of travel in each direction over a 20-mile stretch between U.S. Route 63 in Columbia and Route 54 in Kingdom City. The roadmap for these enhancements also features much-needed interchange improvements at Route 63 and Route 54, making travel a smoother experience for commuters and long-distance drivers alike. Funded by a $405 million fixed-cost contract, the project includes laying new pavement across all three lanes to ensure a more durable roadway surface.
For those planning their commutes or travels through this area, remember, the crews will be busy working on new pavement on all three lanes until the late 2027 completion schedule.
