Chillicothe is set to see some nighttime action on its roads, but not of the usual variety. The much-anticipated resurfacing of U.S. Route 65 is finally kicking off on June 19, as motorists have likely seen the signs multiplying along the side of the road. In an announcement that feels a bit like impending doom for evening commuters, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has, contracted Capital Paving and Construction, LLC for the job, reports MoDOT. The scope of this overhaul stretches from north of Route 190 to U.S. Route 36, an artery crucial to those navigating through Chillicothe.
Prepping the city for this nocturnal operation means repairs will be conducted on curbs and entrances before the big show. The current schedule has the construction crews rolling out their heavyweight machinery next week. Those traveling through the area will see lanes narrowing and faces of flaggers more often than usual. "Traffic Impacts: Resurfacing will take place at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week," MoDOT's website states. "Route 65 will be narrowed to one lane and flaggers may be directing traffic."
The curtain on this project is expected to close in July 2024, if Mother Nature plays her part kindly. As is with all things dependent on the skies, work is weather-permitting and those daunting words "schedule subject to change" hang in the air. MoDOT emphasizes safety in these zones, appealing to Missourians to "buckle up, keep your phones down, slow down and move over in work zones." It's a mantra for modern driving, albeit one that earns more groans than cheers. Advice for drivers seeking to skirt the slowdowns is to check for work zones beforehand at traveler.modot.org.
