Interchange Project at U.S. 63 and Route H in Boone County Moves Forward

March 2 , 2011

BOONE COUNTY – A project to improve safety and traffic flow along U.S. 63 in Boone County is moving forward. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today approved funding to construct a diamond interchange at U.S. 63 and Route H near the Columbia Regional Airport.

“The construction of this interchange has long been identified by local planning organizations and MoDOT as a need,” said MoDOT Transportation Project Manager Nicole Hood. “The right of way for the interchange was acquired many years ago when the highway was upgraded to a four-lane divided facility. The interchange will allow for safe access to and from the Columbia Regional Airport and provide additional economic development opportunities for the community,” said Hood.

The Missouri Department of Transportation also proposes to construct new southbound lanes from just north of Route 163 to Route H. An outer road system would be created using the current southbound lanes.

“The creation of an outer road will allow us to remove several crossovers and provide safer access to and from this major highway,” said Hood.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $14 million.

An open-house public meeting will take place on March 22 to gather public input about the proposed improvement plans. The meeting will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Lenoir Community Center located at 3710 Lenoir Street in Columbia.

“We would like for interested members of the community to come to the public meeting to view the design plans and share their comments with us,” said Hood. “The day following the public meeting, the displays will be available online at www.modot.org/central.”

Construction is tentatively planned to begin in late summer 2011.

For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or log onto www.modot.org/central.