Intersection at Conley Road, Business Loop to close until end of May

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Construction on a roundabout to replace the stoplight-managed intersection of Conley Road and Business Loop will close for construction starting March 23, MoDOT said in a news release Thursday.

The closure will last around 60 days, MoDOT said, and the intersection should reopen by the end of May. Business entrances at construction site will be able to remain open throughout the construction period, according to MoDOT.

Construction work is weather-permitting.

"When complete, the roundabout will provide a safer and more efficient intersection," MoDOT said in a news release. "Compared to a signalized intersection, roundabouts have fewer conflict points, which, along with slower speeds and calmer traffic, can translate into as much as 76 percent fewer crashes and fewer crash-related injuries."

The addition of the roundabout is part of the larger Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City project. The overall project costs $405 million and will include new pavement on all lanes of I-70 and improvements to the I-70 interchanges in Columbia and Kingdom City.