Work zones will take a break for holiday weekend
JEFFERSON CITY – As pandemic restrictions loosen around the state, Memorial Day highway traffic on Missouri roadways is expected to be heavier this year than last.
With the heavy holiday weekend traffic, the Missouri Department of Transportation will not have work zones with routine lane closures beginning at noon on Friday, May 28, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1.
“Memorial Day is typically the start of the summer travel season and with more people taking to the roads the need to remain alert when behind the wheel is even more essential,” said MoDOT’s Deputy Director/Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. “Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Buckle up. Put your phone down. Every trip. Every time.”
Some of the major work zones with permanent lane closures will remain in place for the holiday weekend. These are some of the major projects throughout the state for which drivers should be on the lookout:
Northwest area: Interstate 29: Traffic is currently reduced to one lane in each direction using the southbound lanes over the I-29 Hopkins Creek Bridge. Motorists traveling on I-29, just north of St. Joseph, can expect to face delays both directions.
Kansas City area: I-435 Bridge over the Missouri River: MoDOT is replacing the bridge deck, reinforcing structural steel girders and doing substructure repairs. Work also includes the extension of the acceleration lane from the Route 210 Interchange to I-435 south. Only one lane remains open on the southbound bridge and one lane crosses over to the inside lane of the northbound bridge.
St. Louis area: I-270 North, St. Louis County: Various bridge and roadway improvements between I-70 and the Chain of Rocks Mississippi River Bridge. Drivers can expect bridges over the interstate to be closed, as well as various lanes and ramps through the year.
Southwest area: U.S. Route 60: U.S. Route 60 is being widened to six lanes, with ramp improvements from National Avenue to U.S. Route 65 and construction of a roundabout on Glenstone Avenue at Nature Center Way/Republic Road in Springfield. Drivers can expect narrowed lanes of traffic and nighttime lane closures. The project is to be completed Summer 2022.
Southeast area: Interstate 55 and U.S. Route 61 (MM 99): Construction of the diverging diamond interchange between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, is underway. During this phase of construction, crews are replacing the northbound I-55 bridge. All I-55 traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction using the southbound lanes of I-55. Route 61 is also reduced to one lane in each direction.
MoDOT advises motorists to plan before traveling by checking out the department’s online Traveler Information Map, which provides the latest road conditions, including closures, work zones and incidents. The map can be found at www.modot.org. A mobile map app is also available for smartphone users. Motorists can also call MoDOT’s 24/7 customer service toll free at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).
