The third phase of construction on the new roundabout at West Route K and West Old Plank Road is facing additional delays, as early-winter storms and heavy rainfall have slowed progress throughout November and the beginning of December.
.jpg)
City officials confirmed that persistent rain last month, followed by freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation, prevented crews from completing scheduled work on the southeast quadrant of the roundabout. Because Route K must remain closed during this phase, the weather-related setbacks have extended the existing detour for drivers traveling through southwest Columbia.
Since mid-November, traffic heading toward the construction zone has been rerouted north via South Sinclair Road and then east along West Southampton Drive. The detour remains in effect until crews complete phase three.
The Columbia Public Works Department originally projected a Dec. 5 completion date for the current phase. However, in a recent update, the city announced that—weather permitting—phase three is now expected to finish by Dec. 26, pushing the project timeline nearly three weeks beyond original estimates.
.jpg)
Officials say that as soon as this phase is complete, Route K will reopen to through traffic. Once that reopening occurs, crews will move directly into the fourth and final phase of the project, which requires closing West Old Plank Road at the work site.
Phase four is scheduled to begin Dec. 29 and extend into mid-January, assuming winter weather does not further impact construction. This final stretch will complete the full roundabout, which is designed to improve safety and traffic flow at one of the area's increasingly busy intersections.
The city continues to emphasize that timelines may shift again if winter conditions worsen. With temperatures dipping into the teens and more winter weather expected, construction crews are operating within tight temperature windows required for paving, curing, and earthwork.
The Columbia Public Works Department encourages residents to check for updates and remain cautious when navigating detour routes, which have seen increased congestion during the closure.
Originally reported by Avery Copeland, KOMU 8 Digital Producer in Komu.
.png)
