Crews working to find solution to traffic congestion from road closure

This week, road crews will work on fixing the extra traffic congestion caused by a major road closure construction project in Columbia.

On Wednesday and Thursday this week from 4 to 6 p.m., crews will direct traffic and restrict traffic flow to see if it helps with congestion.

Columbia Public Works will restrict left turns in or out of the Missouri Athletic Center and Wilson’s Total Fitness parking lot. That means that people can only turn right off of Forum Boulevard into the drive, or turn right to get back onto Forum Boulevard.

Also on Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., police will be directing traffic at the four-way stop of Chapel Hill and Limerick. Police will also be directing traffic at Chapel Hill and Fairview.

Columbia Public Works spokesman Steve Sapp said these changes and restrictions will help evaluate if these are problem areas.

If these changes help with traffic flow, Sapp said they could be implemented for the life of the construction project — through August.

Public Works will also be looking at the traffic next week during Spring Break while schools are out of session.

If the reduced school traffic greatly helps with congestion, Sapp said the intersection alterations and restrictions could just be implemented during months school is in session.

To learn more about the construction project, visit www.scottbv.com .