Work to improve U.S. 54 in Camden and Hickory counties will begin March 27. Contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation will resurface 25 miles of roadway and replace guardrail between the Niangua River Bridge in Camden County and Route D in Hickory County.
The work also will turn the section of roadway between the Niangua River and Missouri 73 in Camden County into a shared four-lane highway. The existing conventional two-way highway will be converted into alternating passing lanes.
"The shared-four lane project is part of a continuing effort to ease traffic congestion and improve safety along the 54 corridor," MoDOT Central District Engineer David Silvester said. "The design is similar to the shared four lane along Missouri 5 between Camdenton and Lebanon that was completed in 2011."
Periodic lane closures are expected during the work, scheduled for completion Nov. 1. Flag crews and pilot cars will guide motorists through the work zone during these closures.