Drivers throughout Mid-Missouri are being advised to prepare for continued traffic delays as multiple road construction and improvement projects remain active or begin in the coming days across several counties.
According to transportation officials, many of the projects are scheduled to take place between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4, impacting Boone, Callaway, Camden, Crawford, Howard, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties. Crews will be working on a mix of roadway improvements, culvert replacements, pavement widening, and interchange upgrades, with most projects maintaining at least one open lane and using flagging operations to manage traffic.
In Boone County, crews will continue work on Route 763, also known as College Avenue, where concrete curb replacement is scheduled from Dec. 29 through Dec. 31 between Rogers Street and East Ash Street. While construction is underway, one lane will remain open to traffic.
Long-term interchange improvements are also ongoing along U.S. Route 63 at Route AC, commonly referred to as Grindstone Parkway. Although most of this work is not expected to directly disrupt traffic flow, drivers are urged to remain alert for construction equipment and workers near the roadway. This project is expected to continue through November 2026.
Work is also progressing on the Highway 63 and I-70 Connector, a multi-year project expected to take approximately two more years to complete. MoDOT spokesperson Eric Kopinski said crews will concentrate on bridge construction over Hinkson Creek in 2026.
“The 63/70 interchange is a lot of puzzle pieces,” Kopinski explained. “If we try to put too many together at once, the impacts would be so significant that it would disrupt traffic even more than it does today.”
As construction advances, drivers will eventually be shifted onto a newly constructed eastbound bridge. In addition, MoDOT plans to begin adding a third lane on I-70 from the Missouri River to Midway in the new year.
"Providence over I-70 will be a location where we will demolish that bridge over the summer and work as hard as we can to rebuild that but will be a big impact for the local area," Kopinski said.
Meanwhile, the North Outer Road 70 east of Columbia remains closed near Little Cedar Creek due to a culvert extension project. The closure is expected to remain in place through February 2026, and motorists are encouraged to follow posted detours.
Several roadside projects are scheduled in Callaway County through early January, including work along Route D, Routes J and UU, and Route A. In each location, one lane will remain open with crews flagging traffic through work zones.
Pavement construction also continues along I-70 between Route M and Kingdom City as part of the Improve I-70 Program. Additional lane closures are expected as work progresses, with the overall project scheduled for completion in 2027.
Concrete has already been poured between Route J and Route M, leaving two lanes open in each direction until next fall. MoDOT officials said the decision followed a review of speed and crash data in coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local first responders.
“So next spring, you’ll start to see crews back out there really attacking that section hard,” Kopinski said. “From Route M at Hatton Road to Kingdom City, we’ll add a third lane eastbound and westbound on I-70 and rebuild the existing pavement. It will look very similar to what drivers have seen over the past year.”
By late 2026, officials expect approximately 12 to 13 miles of six-lane roadway to be fully striped and open.
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"As we move forward, we're going to continue to take a close eye and say as we open sections, what makes the best sense for the safety of the traveling public, but also the safety of our workers as well for each area," Kopinski said.
The U.S. 54 interchange is expected to be completed by fall 2026, with officials aiming to finish most interchange work before peak lake season.
"We're really hoping and trying hard to complete all interchange work before lake season really goes full speed in the summer," Kopinski said.
In Camden County, culvert replacement projects are scheduled along Route A near Prairie Rose Road and along Route C from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with flagging operations in place. Pavement widening and driveway entrance improvements continue on U.S. Route 54, where traffic has been shifted and the center turn lane remains closed. This phase of the project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
Miller County will see culvert replacement work on Route D at Lola Circle during the same time period, with one lane remaining open.
In Moniteau County, roundabout construction continues at the intersection of Route 87 and Route C. Although the intersection remains open, traffic has been reduced to one lane with temporary signals. Completion is anticipated in January 2026.
Morgan County crews will conduct roadside work along Route 52 and replace a culvert on Route Y through early January. Roundabout construction at Route 52 and Route 5 in Versailles also continues, with completion expected next month.
Osage County will see culvert replacements along Route C at various locations from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2, with traffic guided through work zones by flagging crews.
Transportation officials are reminding motorists to slow down, remain attentive, and obey posted signage when traveling through construction areas. Drivers are encouraged to check for updates and allow extra travel time when navigating impacted routes.
Originally reported by Euphenie Andre in ABC 17 News.
