Traffic is expected to be heavier around Columbia this weekend as football fans converge on Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field for the home opener for the Missouri Tiger football team.
A news release says a large crowd is possible for the 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday, meaning heavy volumes of traffic are likely throughout the day. The Missouri Department of Transportation will have staff on hand to handle emergency maintenance situations or to help the Missouri State Highway Patrol with traffic control if needed.
Motorists utilizing U.S. Highway 63 to get to Columbia are advised of possible delays in traffic due to bridge rehabilitation projects taking place in the northbound lanes between Jefferson City and Columbia. In addition, a pavement-repair project is under way in the northbound and southbound lanes between Columbia and the Boone/Randolph county line. Both projects will see one lane closed in the work area through the fall months.
Also, motorists coming to Columbia from the Kansas City area are reminded that MoDOT will have I-70 completely closed in both directions between I-435 and I-470/Highway 291 beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 6, until approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, September 9. Motorists should follow the posted detours and add plenty of time for travel.
Motorists are encouraged to prepare for traffic delays around the Mizzou campus and throughout Columbia. Motorists can check road conditions by visiting the Traveler Information Map at modot.org or by calling MoDOT’s 24-hour customer-service center at (888) ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).