A project to build a new diamond interchange along Missouri 179 in Cole County moved forward today, following the award of a construction contract by Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.
The new interchange will be located between Route C and Edgewood Drive. It will provide access to a new St. Mary's Health Center development at this location. The project is a joint effort of the Missouri Department of Transportation, City of Jefferson and Cole County.
Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc. of Columbia, Mo. submitted the low bid of $7,444,836.85. In addition to the construction of the new interchange, the contract also includes building Mission Drive, which will serve as an access roadway to the new health facility. Construction of Mission Drive is being funded by the City of Jefferson and Cole County.
Work on the interchange project will start this summer and take about a year to complete. Traffic on 179 between Route C and Edgewood Drive will be detoured for about three months during the early stages of construction. This will allow excavation work to take place in the existing lanes of 179 so the new interchange bridge can be built. Mission Drive will run underneath the 179 interchange bridge. Other lane closures on 179 can be expected throughout the duration of the project.
"This is a very significant project for the region," said MoDOT Transportation Project Manager Jason Vanderfeltz. "We've received positive public support for this improvement and look forward to the work getting underway."