It's the season for orange cones and construction delays in Clinton County, as major works to rejuvenate Interstate 35 and extend U.S. Route 69 have officially commenced. The Missouri Department of Transportation, collaborating with the firm Michels Road & Stone, initiated the project yesterday, according to MoDOT's announcement. Motorists journeying through the Interstate 35 stretch from Shoal Creek near the intersection of Route 69 (Exit 48) to Route 116 (Exit 40) should prepare for narrowed lanes and a strict 12-foot width restriction as crews set up for two-way traffic operation in the southbound lanes.
Crossovers and emergency pull offs construction started on May 19, marking the beginning of an elaborate infrastructural transformation slated to improve travel in the area. "During construction, the interstate will be narrowed to one lane. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place. Motorists should expect delays," the MoDOT cautioned. The task is not just confined to the interstate; Route 69 is also up for a revamp. It runs from Shoal Creek near the intersection of I-35 to Route 116, and here, drivers will be greeted by flaggers and a single lane of traffic steered through a 10-foot width limitation during the paving process.
The adjustments to regular traffic patterns are part of a greater plan that will see I-35's northbound lanes resurfaced once Route 69's paving is finished. At that juncture, interstate traffic will be shifted to two-way traffic on the southbound lanes. "More details will be shared ahead of the traffic shift," MoDOT stated, keeping drivers informed of what's to come.
For those plotting their commutes or road trips through Clinton County, patience will be as compulsory as observing speed limits. While the current lane reductions and traffic reconfigurations impose an immediate inconvenience, the end result aims for a smoother and safer flow of vehicles long-term. The entire project has a completion deadline set on or before September 1, 2026, ensuring this is a temporary albeit drawn-out headache for travelers.
