U.S. Route 54 traffic shift begin south of the Missouri River July 15

All ramps expected to remain open through first phase of work; Major delays to traffic

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The project to repair and overlay the U.S. Route 54 overpasses over U.S. Route 50 and McCarty Street in Jefferson City is set to start July 8. Beginning July 15, lanes on Route 54 will be reduced to one lane each direction. All ramps on and off Route 54 in this area will remain open at this time. Traffic delays on Route 54 could stretch for several miles at peak daily commute times and weekend travels. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

Concrete Strategies, LLC, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will begin work under the U.S. Route 50 and McCarty Street overpasses on July 8. Some nightly single-lane closures on U.S. Route 50, McCarty Street, and ramps on the tri-level bridges may be necessary. Advance notice will be given before any lane or ramp closures.

Starting July 15, the half-mile stretch of U.S. Route 54 from just south of the Missouri River bridges to Business U.S. 50 (Missouri Boulevard) will narrow to one lane, each direction. The first phase will reduce the eastbound Route 54 lane to 10 feet, while the westbound lane will be 15 feet wide. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour through the work zone. During this phase, all ramps are expected to remain open.

The work will be completed in two phases, over a period of up to 90 days. There are incentives built into the contract, should the crews restore two lanes of traffic each direction earlier than the 90-day window.

"This work is vital to keep these 60-year-old bridges in good condition, but we will have to narrow lanes and slow down traffic for everyone's safety," said Central District Engineer Machelle Watkins. "While eastbound traffic will be restricted to 10-foot-wide vehicles, it's important for motorists to realize that most vehicles - including boats and RVs - are 8-feet, 6-inches, or narrower. Anything wider than the legal width of 8-foot-6-inches requires an over-dimension permit from MoDOT's Motor Carrier Services."

Those traveling from outside of the Jefferson City area to/from the Lake of the Ozarks region are encouraged to use an alternate route. However, those routes will vary - based on your starting point and destination.

A webpage about this project can be found at https://www.modot.org/us-route-54-bridge-rehabilitations-over-us-route-50-and-mccarty-street-cole-county. The site includes maps outlining traffic impacts, answers to frequently asked questions and a sign-up form to receive project-specific email updates.

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.

For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/ or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media:

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