Employees from the Boone Construction Co. should begin working this morning on stabilizing the rock bluff on U.S. 63, near the Boone-Callaway county line, that has closed one northbound lane on 63 since last Thursday.
The state Transportation department awarded a $600,000 contract with the Columbia-based company on Monday.
The contract requires the company to stabilize the bluff, then cut a series of steps into the bluff to prevent loose rock from falling onto the highway.
A rock slide last week forced the lane closure Thursday afternoon.
It should remain about a week, Central District Engineer Dave Silvester said.
Then, as the work continues, the road will be closed periodically.
The work is to be finished in early May.
"We moved as quickly as we could to get this work under contract, so we can open the highway back as soon as possible," Silvester said.
Message boards and warning lights will remain until the work is finished, Silvester said.
Drivers should expect minor delays during the project.