Work on the ramp from Highway 63 to the Missouri River Bridge at Jefferson City was underway Wednesday. MoDOT officials delayed the work that was supposed to begin Tuesday because of rainy weather conditions.
Motorists adjusted to the ramp closing as traffic flow continued to move smoothly. MoDOT officials waited until after Wednesday’s morning commute to close the ramp from Highway 63 to Jefferson City’s Missouri River Bridge.
The ramp work forced drivers to take a detour toward Fulton and turn around at the Summit Drive exit. From there, motorists could exit on to Highway 54 east and start their journey back to Jefferson City. Message boards were in place to inform drivers of the closure and detour. Some frequent users of the ramp who live in Boone County and work in Jefferson City called the construction work a minor inconvenience.
Commuter Macey Hurst said, “I feel like they have to do what they have to do to keep those roads in good shape so that we can use that ramp whenever we need to. It’s a minor inconvenience for the time being.”
Commuter Emma Hurst said, “I imagine it might be a little inconvenient because there is pretty heavy traffic. If it’s going to make drivers safer, I think that’s important because safety on the road is most important, I think.”
The ramp work was part of a project to improve driving surfaces, upgrade guardrails and make bridge repairs along Highway 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City. MoDOT Engineer Kirsten Munck said, “Basically, we’re going to be milling off the asphalt. Once that work is complete, we’ll be underneath there making deck repairs and then putting a new concrete wearing surface on top of the bridge deck.”
MoDOT officials said the ramp work would take about 2 weeks, weather permitting.