Residents of Columbia are due for a slight inconvenience starting next week, as the entrance to Woodridge Drive from I-70 Drive Southeast is scheduled to shut down for a portion of the day. Construction teams working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be closing the entrance temporarily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily, from October 20 through October 24, in order to relocate a waterline, MoDOT reported. Those who frequent this route will need to plan accordingly, as the construction will necessitate finding an alternative pathway during these hours.
MoDOT has communicated its ask of all drivers to "work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones," as part of their ongoing campaign to ensure safety is a top priority during the construction period. Though inconvenienced, it is during these closures, the safety of the motorists is paramount — a reminder that the temporary rerouting is part of a larger vision to improve travel across the state. All steps of this operation are subject to the whims of nature, with weather permitting and the potential for schedules to shift accordingly.
This disruption isn't without a silver lining; it signifies progress in the first phase of MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program. Dubbed "Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City," this ambitious initiative aims to expand the existing highway by adding a third lane of travel in both directions across a 20-mile stretch of roadway between the cities mentioned. This $405 million fixed-cost contract isn't just about laying new pavement; it's set to overhaul interchanges at U.S. Route 63 and U.S. Route 54, as well.
Looking at the larger picture, Missouri's fiscal year 2024 budget has greenlit a whopping $2.8 billion from General Revenue for highway improvements. Authorized by the state legislative process and approved by the governor, these funds are earmarked to transform nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
