Ramp connecting I-70 East to U.S. 63 South open

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new ramp, intended to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at the 63/70 connector in Columbia, has opened.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced on Facebook Friday that the new ramp connecting Interstate 70 East to Highway 63 South was open.

The “direct connect” ramp allows drivers the option to hop on Highway 63 without taking the connector.

The ramp opening comes as University of Missouri students travel to Columbia for school, and football season is right around the corner.

This is part of the Improve I-70 program: Columbia to Kingdom City. Across the state, MoDOT is adding an extra lane to each side of the interstate from near Kansas City to St. Louis.

Columbia has many MoDOT Improve I-70 projects underway, including the Providence Road bridge, a roundabout on Clark Lane and more. MoDOT has all projects listed on its website.