Multiple road closures set to begin Monday in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Drivers in Columbia should prepare for several road closures starting Monday, with some expected to last nearly a year.
The longest closure will impact I-70 Southeast Drive from just west of Woodridge Drive to Glenstone Drive. The road is scheduled to close at 7 a.m. Monday. Officials said the closure is expected to last about 300 days, with the project timeline currently extending into Dec. 2026.
Some residents said the project may create short-term challenges for drivers.
“I figured they’re going to have to do it,” said Columbia resident Lindell Crane. “You’ve got to do it to get what you want done. There’s going to be an inconvenience to a lot of people.”
During that time, drivers will be detoured around the closure using Keene Street and St. Charles Road.
Crane added that traffic could increase on nearby streets as drivers adjust to the detour.
“It’s going to have to be enforced a lot on speed because there’s going to be a lot of accidents that way,” Crane said. “They can’t drive on those roads like they drive on 70.”
Another closure will impact New Haven Road, which will shut down east of the U.S. Route 63 northbound on- and off-ramps and extend to Lenoir Street. As part of the project, a portion of Lemone Industrial Boulevard where it connects with New Haven Road will also be closed.
Resident Julian Tro said while the work may be inconvenient in the short term, he believes improvements to local roads are necessary.
“Some roads in Columbia are in bad shape, so as long as it’s to make it better and improve things, I think it’s worth it,” Tro said.
Officials said that work on New Haven is expected to be completed by Apr. 7.
Another temporary closure will take place on South Smith Hatchery Road while crews remove a tree. The work will be completed by Boone County Resource Management and Braik Tree Service.
Tree removal will take place on Smith Hatchery Road between W. Dothage Road and the Little Bonne Femme Creek Bridge. Work is scheduled to begin Monday and is expected to finish by Friday, Mar. 27, weather permitting.
During that time, the road may be fully closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on working days, and drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes.
Local business Cooper's Landing also posted on social media Friday alerting visitors about the upcoming closure.
Another project scheduled later this month will impact Conley Road. Starting Mar. 23, the county plans to close Conley Road at the intersection of East Business Loop 70 for 60 days as crews continue work on a new roundabout.
During the closure, business entrances on both sides of the intersection will remain open and accessible. The roundabout is expected to open to all traffic by the end of May.
The Missouri Department of Transportation and Boone County said weather conditions could delay some of the scheduled work and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
