MoDOT monitors traffic for first Mizzou home football game

More than 50,000 Tiger fans will descend on Columbia this Saturday for Mizzou’s home opener against Eastern Michigan so the Missouri Department of Transportation is working to make sure the extra traffic moves along safely and smoothly.

“We go through the same routine every year,” said area engineer Mike Schupp. “Myself and our traffic operations engineer sit down with university officials, talk about traffic flow,” he said.

MoDOT also works with the Highway Patrol, which handles traffic control on game day. Local law enforcement, including the patrol, will be manually directing traffic at some intersections.

“We’ve been checking the signals since school started just to make sure that they’re operating at maximum efficiency,” said Schupp. “We’ll also do that during the influx of traffic coming into game day.”

Schupp said the post-game traffic will be heavier and potentially more dangerous because it’s dark and people have been drinking most of the day.

“It is game day and people are excited so make sure you’ve got a designated driver and pay attention because you’ve got a lot of people in a tight facility,” he said. “Accidents can happen.”

When the game lets out in the dark, drivers aren’t the only ones who need to avoid distractions. Pedestrians should also be aware and wear reflective clothing if they can, especially if they’re walking down Providence or Stadium to get to their car that may be parked on the shoulder.

“Don’t be crossing when you shouldn’t because someone may not be paying attention. I know pedestrian has the right of way but you need to be paying attention for that car that’s driving as well,” Schupp said. “There’s a responsibility on both sides.”

All construction work will be suspended Saturday.