South Columbia road work slows down back-to-school traffic

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Repaving work on a major south Columbia road started with the beginning of the school year this week, snarling traffic as parents rushed to get children to school and go to work.

The work to mill and repave Vawter School Road east of Scott Boulevard was originally planned to wrap up by last week. However, weather delays pushed the work to this week, which also saw the start of classes at Columbia Public Schools.

"Public Works crews and contractors work continuously throughout the available warm-weather construction season to complete road resurfacing projects," Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan wrote in response to questions. "That work can include periods when the school year is beginning, as is the case with this project. We recognize that the work on West Vawter School Road has caused delays during the afternoon rush and appreciate everyone's patience while crews work to improve the condition of the City's transportation network."

The work involves milling current pavement on Vawter School Road and replacing it with new pavement.

In an interview with ABC 17, Ogan said that the work on Vawter School Road should be completed within the week, weather permitting.

Ogan acknowledged that road work is not always the most convenient.

"I understand nobody wants to sit in traffic while you're waiting to get the kids to school or pick them up or get to work. But road work has to be accomplished in the city," said Ogan.

Ogan said that Columbia Public Works has planned to do over 160 miles of resurfacing work, which he said is more than the year before or the year before that.

As for the delays in work, Ogan said that all completion dates are weather permitting.

"Unfortunately, as many people know, there's been a lot of rain this year. Some of this work can't go on when rain is happening, so it was pushed further and further down," said Ogan.

Ogan said CPS's schedule was not taken into account when deciding where and when to resurface roads; instead, the city uses a rating system and makes decisions based on it.

CPS' first day of classes was Tuesday, and several schools are near the road work, including Mill Creek Elementary, John Warner Middle School, Eagle Bluffs Elementary, Rock Bridge High School, and Gentry Middle School.

The work has led to long lines of vehicles along Vawter School Road both before and after school.

It's one of several city roads contractors resumed work on last week. Other roads being worked on are:

• Dalcross Drive

• Westbrook Way

• Frontgate Drive

• Dunbar Drive

• Vistaview Terrace

• Granite Springs Drive

• Blue Hollow Drive

• West Vawter School Road

• Glen Eagle Drive

• Westview Terrace

• Galloway Court

Crews will work on the roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and plan to work from south to north.

Ogan said that Public Works is always open to feedback saying that people are welcome to comment, call, or email the city.

"Our contractors, they're doing a good job out there with putting out signs and having flaggers just to try to minimize some of the impact to the area. But we understand road work is never easy," said Ogan.