Commuters in Columbia are set to face a few inconveniences starting tomorrow as a section of Woodridge Drive is scheduled to temporarily shut down. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), a waterline relocation project will close the entrance of Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast for several upcoming days. Drivers should prepare to adjust their routes as the closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 29, until Friday afternoon, Oct. 31.
The construction work is part of the Statewide Improve I-70 Program, which aims to reduce congestion and improve safety along a vital corridor. Traffic diversions will be necessary around the clock during this period, and as always, these plans are subject to shift depending upon the whims of nature. MoDOT has announced that all updates and potential changes to the work schedule will be weather-permitting. Motorists are advised to remain vigilant and to possibly expect to use alternate routes as the construction progresses.
As per the usual safety protocol, MoDOT cautions every driver traveling through work zones to buckle up, put your phone down, obey all traffic signs, and slow down and move over. These measures are key not only for personal safety but also for ensuring the safety of the construction crews who are working diligently to enhance roadway conditions for future travel.
The ongoing project boasts a substantial scope, being the first in MoDOT’s Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City initiative. This expansive endeavor is backed by a $405 million fixed-cost contract to significantly improve the 20-mile stretch of I-70 between Columbia and Kingdom City. The project involves adding a third lane to each direction of I-70, overhauling pavement across all lanes, and upgrading interchanges at U.S. Route 63 and U.S. Route 54. With Missouri's FY2024 budget allocating $2.8 billion in General Revenue to this end, the state is clearly investing heavily to not only modernize but also to expand nearly 200 miles of one of its primary transportation veins, stretching from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
