Summer Highway Showdown: Key Insights Into Missouri's Road Projects

In addition to marking the informal start of summer, Memorial Day also signals the beginning of the summer highway construction season in Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has alerted drivers about potential delays due to multiple projects that have already begun or are set to commence this summer.

“We’re striving to make more enhancements to the state’s transportation network than at any time before, but achieving this requires everybody’s assistance to ensure the safety of our highway employees—and all road users—in these endeavors,” stated State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson. “Your collaboration and choices when driving can mean the difference between families arriving home unharmed—including yours. So buckle up, avoid using your phone, reduce speed, and refrain from drinking alcohol while driving this summer, particularly within construction areas.”

MoDOT notes 10 people were killed and 83 were seriously injured in crashes over the Memorial Day holiday last year, and officials are aiming for zero fatalities this year.

Details about road work, closed lanes, and disruptions can be obtained from MoDOT.
Traveler Information Map
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Key initiatives to keep an eye on include:

Northwest Missouri:

Interstate 29 through Atchison County
has been reduced to one lane in each direction
For maintenance work on both the north and southbound Mill Creek bridges linking Mound City to Corning.
Northeast Missouri:

Interstate 72 and U.S. Highway 36 intersect in Marion County.
Both the eastward and westward directions have been reduced to single lanes.
There is a 12-foot width limitation from Missouri Route 79 to Illinois Route 106 due to bridge repair activities on the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Hannibal. The bridge will be completely closed starting May 30th and this condition may last for as long as 30 days.
Kansas City area:

The Interstate 435 in Clay County runs through
The left lane was closed for both northbound and southbound traffic.
From Parvin Road to 48th Street for bridge rehabilitation until roughly December 1st, indicating a revised traffic setup is now active on Interstate 435.
Central Missouri:

Several initiatives are currently in progress as part of the
Enhance the I-70 Columbia to Kingdom City initiative
Interstate 70 traveling eastward from mile marker 137 to 144 (between Route J and Route M) has narrower lanes, and the exit ramps leading to and from Route J at Exit 137 are shut down. Additionally, U.S. Highway 63 south of Interstate 70 in Columbia has been reduced to single lanes moving in both directions from the area near the Broadway overpass all the way to the Conley Road underpass.
Jefferson City:

Several bridges in Jefferson City are currently being rehabilitated as part of ongoing projects. These projects are located along U.S. Highway 54.
which has been reduced to one lane in each direction
From slightly below Missouri Boulevard down to just beneath Stadium Boulevard.
St. Louis area:

Several initiatives are underway in the St. Louis region. Construction started in late March to include an additional lane on Interstate 64 in St. Charles County, stretching from Route K to the I-70/I-64 junction, which is a segment of the project.
Enhance the segment of Interstate 70 from Warrenton to Wentzville
Drivers going in either direction on I-64 will see workers operating behind barricades in the median area from Route K to Lake Saint Louis Boulevard throughout the upcoming summer months. The lanes of I-64 will experience minor narrowing, accompanied by a reduction in the speed limit within this construction zone. Furthermore,
Westbound I-64 crossing the Boone Bridge over the Missouri River
Undergoing regular significant upkeep, median barriers have been placed on both shores of the Missouri River. Additionally, two lanes for westbound traffic on I-64 are utilizing the eastbound I-64 bridge, with a divider wall separating them. While the outer auxiliary lanes will be shut down in each direction, three lanes—both eastbound and westbound—will stay accessible throughout these works. This project is slated for completion by the end of winter.
Southwest Missouri:

Interstate 44
Corridor improvements are currently in progress in Springfield.
Between the Kansas Expressway and U.S. Highway 65, and
The expansion of U.S. Route 65 is currently in progress.
In Christian County, some lanes might be narrower due to these work areas.
I-44 bridge rehabilitation work
In Joplin at Missouri Routes 86/43 (Exit 6), the westbound I-44 traffic splits into two lanes: one lane (on the right) remains open, while another lane (to the left) operates against normal flow within the eastbound lanes. The entrance ramps for both directions of travel are currently shut down.
Southeast Missouri

: Missouri Route 74
will be limited to a single lane
Due to a 12-foot width limitation, construction teams are conducting maintenance on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, spanning the Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and East Cape Girardeau, Illinois. The work has commenced and is scheduled to last until November 2025.

The article was initially published on the Columbia Daily Tribune.
The summer highway construction period has begun. Here’s what you should know about road projects in Missouri.