Work to facilitate construction of the future interchange at U.S. 50/63 and Lafayette Street will close one westbound lane of Route 50/63 from Clark Avenue to Monroe Street in Jefferson City beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Weather permitting, the lane closure is expected to last eight weeks. Travelers driving westbound on U.S. 50/63 into Jefferson City will experience delays during peak traffic times, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and take alternate routes around the area.
"This phase of the project will affect travelers on westbound Route 50/63 in Jefferson City for approximately the next eight weeks," said Missouri Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Terry Imhoff. "We would recommend that if you are traveling during morning rush hours on westbound Route 50/63 into Jefferson City that you consider an alternate route because traffic congestion is expected."
Other closures related to this project that will take place on Wednesday include:
• The U.S. 50/63 westbound on ramp from Clark Avenue will be closed for approximately the next eight weeks.
• Lafayette Street will be closed to through traffic from Dunklin Street to East Elm until the project's completion in summer of 2016.
To help alleviate the congestion associated with the closures, the off ramp on westbound 50/63 to Lafayette Street will be opened at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Electronic message boards have been placed along the route to inform motorists of the closures associated with the work.
"We appreciate the public's patience and understanding while we work on this phase of the project, which will greatly improve traffic flow and safety in the area when completed," Imhoff said.
The work is taking place as part of the Lafayette Street interchange project, a two-year, $20.3-million project that includes building a new interchange at Route 50/63 and Lafayette Street; adding a lane in each direction on the Whitton Expressway from Monroe Street to Lafayette Street and from Lafayette to Clark Avenue; and improving six bridges along the corridor.
More information about this project, including traffic impact summaries and weekly construction updates, are at www.modot.org/central/major_projects/LafayetteInterchange.htm.
Motorists can also call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit MoDOT's Central District on Facebook (facebook.com/MoDOTCentralMissouriDistrict) or Twitter (@MoDOT_Central) for additional details.