Browse
Log in / Register
Share
As of September 6, 2025, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released its latest round of roadwork affecting mid-Missouri for the week of Sunday, September 7 through Saturday, September 13. The schedule targets key commuter corridors, including Interstate 70, U.S. Route 63, and several state routes in Boone, Callaway, and Cooper counties. Drivers should expect overnight lane closures, ramp restrictions, and possible delays during non-peak hours as crews continue pavement repairs, bridge maintenance, and guardrail upgrades.
I-70 Intermittent Lane Closures (Mile Markers 121–148) MoDOT crews will close single lanes in both directions on I-70 between the Rocheport Bridge and the Kingdom City interchange. Work is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. The closures are part of an ongoing pavement rehabilitation project that began in late July. Officials warn that the left lane may be closed in short segments, and drivers should plan for extra travel time, especially near the bypass around Columbia.
US 63 Bridge Repair near Columbia On U.S. Route 63, a full right-lane closure is planned northbound between the Stadium Boulevard and Broadway exits. The closure will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday while crews repair a bridge deck joint. MoDOT recommends using the Business Loop 70 as an alternative to avoid the bottleneck. This is the same stretch where a pothole-repair crew caused a 20-minute backup last month, according to local traffic data.
State Route 179 Paving in Callaway County A resurfacing project on Route 179 from the Auxvasse city limits to the junction with Route 94 will require flagger-controlled, one-lane traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The work is expected to last through the entire week. Residents in the Cedar City area have expressed frustration over the lack of advance signage; MoDOT says it will post additional warning signs after receiving a complaint.
Route 240 Shoulder Work in Cooper County Crews will perform shoulder grading and ditch cleaning on Route 240 between Boonville and Pilot Grove. No lane closures are anticipated, but drivers should watch for slow-moving equipment entering and exiting the roadway. MoDOT advises staying at least 200 feet behind any work vehicle.
Exclusive: MoDOT Spokesperson Offers Driver Tips In an interview with our team, MoDOT spokesperson Sally Oxenhandler stressed that the biggest risk during construction zones is speeding. “We see a lot of drivers who are in a hurry and don’t reduce speed when they see orange cones,” she said. “It’s not just a fine issue—it’s a safety issue for our workers and for you.” She also reminded drivers that Missouri’s “Move Over” law applies to construction vehicles, and fines are doubled in active work zones.
Historical Context: Why This Week Matters This week’s schedule coincides with the start of the fall construction push, when MoDOT typically accelerates projects before winter weather halts asphalt work. In 2024, the same period saw a 15% increase in work zone crashes statewide, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. MoDOT is urging drivers to use the “MoDOT Traveler Information Map” or the “MoDOT” mobile app to check real-time lane closures before heading out.
Detour Routes and Alternatives For I-70 closures, MoDOT suggests using Route 40 (Old Highway 40) between Boonville and Kingdom City as a parallel alternative. For US 63, drivers heading north can take Providence Road to avoid the bridge work. Local business owners near the construction zones have reported mixed impact: while some see fewer customers, others note that detour routes bring new traffic to their storefronts. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce will host a virtual town hall on September 10 to discuss construction-related business disruptions.
Safety Reminders MoDOT emphasizes that all work schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Drivers should slow down, expect the unexpected, and put away cell phones. The agency also notes that drones are occasionally used to monitor traffic flow, but no flight restrictions are in place for the public.
