MoDOT has announced that motorists will soon see improvements to the U.S. 54 and Missouri 5 interchange area to better accommodate pedestrians and smooth traffic flow for motorists.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract Wednesday to APAC-Missouri, Inc. of Columbia, Mo. to construct a 6-foot wide sidewalk on the U.S. 54 interchange bridge that crosses over Missouri 5.
"About 2,100 feet of new sidewalk will be constructed parallel to eastbound U.S. 54 leading up to and across the bridge," said MoDOT Transportation Project Manager Bruce Green. "The sidewalks will connect to existing city sidewalks on the west side of the interchange and extend to a location near a shopping area to the east."
This work is being completed in coordination with the City of Camdenton. Enhancement funds, which are set aside for the improvement of pedestrian facilities, are being utilized for this portion of construction.
The low bid for work to the interchange area is $500,535.21. That amount also includes widening the northbound Missouri 5 off ramp to eastbound U.S. 54 in Camdenton to allow for dual right-turn lanes.
"The addition of a second right-turn lane will decrease the minor backups occurring on the exit ramp as people travel to the Lake of the Ozarks area," said Green. "It also provides tractor-trailer trucks with more room to make right turns at the top of the ramp."
Improvements to the interchange will begin in early March and are scheduled to be finished before the Memorial Day weekend in May. Motorists should expect lane closures and the narrowing of lanes through the interchange area during construction. Minor delays are possible.
MoDOT also announced that motorists will soon be driving on a smoother Missouri 52 in Miller and Maries Counties.
The highway commission awarded a contract to resurface almost 20 miles of the highway during the upcoming construction season.
The work will take place from Missouri 17 in Miller County to Missouri 133 in Maries County.
Jefferson Asphalt Company of Jefferson City was awarded the contract after submitting the low bid of $950,322.98.
The work will begin this spring and finish in the fall. Motorists should expect lane closures and minor delays during construction.