Mizzou home games expected to bring traffic delays, detours
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
More than 60,000 fans are expected to attend the Mizzou football team's season opener Thursday, but getting to and from Memorial Stadium could take some extra time as construction around the stadium creates traffic impacts.
That traffic could be magnified with more people expected to be inside Memorial Stadium throughout the season. The stadium’s newly completed north end zone project increased its capacity to approximately 65,000 fans. The No. 25-ranked Tigers will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m.
Currently, six construction projects are underway along Interstate 70, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect delays as they travel through active work zones.
“Motorists should prepare to leave early and allow for extra time when traveling on I-70 during game days. Increased game day traffic this football season is expected to cause additional delays both before and after games,” MoDOT said in a news release. “Work zones often include narrow lanes, changing and atypical lane configurations, and reduced speeds.”
The projects are part of a broader effort to improve the I-70 corridor across the state. For drivers in Central Missouri, that includes work along stretches of the interstate between Rocheport and Boonville, as well as between Columbia and Kingdom City.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also warning fans to expect increased traffic in Columbia, particularly leading up to kickoff, which coincides with the evening rush hour as many residents leave work.
“Fans and motorists should also be aware of increased traffic inside Columbia, MO, due to both end-of-work-day commuters and game day traffic. The Patrol urges motorists and fans to limit distracted driving and be aware of crosswalks,” Capt. Eric Brown said in a statement. “After arriving at Memorial Stadium, all gates will be open for entry, including the north endzone addition. The Patrol, University of Missouri Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement officers will be available to assist fans.”
The increased traffic and ongoing construction are also factors emergency crews have to consider when planning for game day.
Columbia Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said construction throughout the city can affect the routes crews take when responding to emergencies, making it important for the department to continually update its response plans.
“That's one thing that is definitely steady is construction regardless of regardless of location in the city. We face it day in, day out. That's just part of being an urban center," Schaeffer said. "So when those changes in the routing on roads, whether they're temporary or are fairly permanent during construction season, those are all put into our computer-aided dispatch, which equates to the computer picking the closest unit and then offering the best routing around those.”
Boone County Emergency Management spokesperson Beth Kennedy also reminds fans to prepare for delays and detours around Columbia.
MoDOT’s traveler information map shows fans should expect delays on northbound Route PP, westbound I-70 entering Boone County and near the northbound Highway 63 on-ramp due to new pavement construction.
“I know the city has put out their information reminding people of the traffic delays and the detours that we have around the city of Columbia and around the county on I-70 in and out of Columbia,” Kennedy said. “Just allow yourself more time, be patient, take it slow. Just make sure that, again, situational awareness, you're aware of your surroundings, and you're just taking it a little slow.”
Schaffer said planning ahead is particularly important Thursday because of the expected heat and the amount of time fans may spend traveling to the stadium and walking to their seats.
“For the people that are coming and visiting I would definitely add in extra time if you know where those construction projects are, or if you know that on your route into the game that you're going to face that,” Schaeffer said. “Definitely add enough time because it’s going to be extremely hot. You shouldn't have to run to get to the game. You don't want to exhaust a lot of energy or the water that you may be carrying and bringing it. A little patience will go a long way, and patience equates with planning.”
