I-70 westbound work to cause delays this weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation start setting girders Friday on the new flyover ramp connecting northbound Highway 63 to westbound Interstate 70.

Work will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, just as the University of Missouri football team kicks off at Kansas.

Westbound I-70 will narrow to one lane, and no active traffic will flow under the new ramp while the girders are set. Traffic will be directed up and over ramps at the connector, exit 128.

There will be no access over I-70 through the I-70 and Highway 63 connector; there will also be no access to or from westbound I-70 from the south end of the connector, and no access to or from eastbound I-70 from the north end of the connector.

Eastbound I-70 will not be affected.

In a media event Wednesday morning, MoDOT officials said they have coordinated with emergency services ahead of the weekend.

"We recognize this is a major impact in preparation for this work. We've held coordination meetings with local police, fire, and EMS agencies," said Nicole Samern, director for the Columbia to Kingdom City Improve I-70 project. "These first responders have been critical partners throughout the course of the project and are ready to respond in the event of an incident."

Two girders will be placed over the weekend, impacting traffic, with one remaining that will not impact traffic.

Construction is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Monday.

After the girders are set, the next step will be to start forming the deck. MoDOT says the ramp should be open to traffic by the end of the year.

MODOT advises drivers to expect delays of up to an hour and to be cautious when driving through the area. Drivers are asked to follow the construction speed limit and watch out for crews.