Crews began construction on Wabash drive
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)
Columbians will start to see some construction along the Wabash Drive extension starting Wednesday.
Columbia Public Works has confirmed that traffic will not be impacted as crews begin to work on the project but there are some improvements drivers should expect in the summer.
"We'll extend a small street of Wabash, it's a side street we'll be able to go right from Vandiver onto Paris. It'll only allow right turns to Paris because a left turn could be dangerous," John Ogan who works for Columbia Public Works said.
According to a press release, Rhad A. Baker Construction LLC, contractor for the City of Columbia Public Works department, will extend the Wabash Drive to connect to Route B. This will provide an additional way for vehicles to turn South into Route B from Vandiver Drive.
Ogan says traffic often builds up at the intersection of Vandiver, Oakland Gravel and Paris Road. The new extension will offer a cut-through for drivers looking to go from Vandiver toward the downtown area.
The project will be completed in two phases, because of supply chain delays in getting materials. The first phase will include the construction of concrete pavement West of the railroad tracks. The second phase will include work done by the East of the tracks.
As of now, Ogan says its crews are anticipating anywhere between an 8-10 week delay for light poles and light fixtures.
"And also this project is also going to go through some railroad tracks so we need some railway components and those will also be about an 8-10 week delay", said Ogan.
As crews continue work on Wabash Drive, they are urging motorists and pedestrians to take caution when in the work zone.
The project is expected to be completed by early summer depending on the weather.
"It's not too complicated it's just an extension that goes from Vandiver to Paris and we’ll make that intersection a little more manageable for people who are currently turning left onto Paris or going straight through," Ogan said.
