Commuters should be aware that the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will close the northbound I-170 exit ramp to westbound I-70 for two weekends. The ramp will be closed from Friday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m., and again from Friday, July 18 to Monday, July 21 during the same hours. Drivers heading to the airport will need to use alternate routes, according to the MoDOT announcement.
The closure is due not to road construction or repair, but rather for a fresh coat of paint on the connecting bridge. Detours will be noticeably marked; MoDOT plans to guide disrupted travelers around the closure with message boards strategically positioned to reroute the flow of vehicles set to quickly adapt to changes.
The choice to undertake this task during the weekend is presumably aimed at minimizing the impact on weekday traffic; nevertheless, delays should be anticipated. Drivers accustomed to this route should plan to leave earlier or seek alternative paths. This operational downtime is an attempt to ensure the longevity of the bridge which supports the heavy traffic to and from the airport, a critical junction for the city's movement.
Further information, including detailed detour routes, can be found on MoDOT's website.
