Construction of a new interchange on Interstate 70 at Stadium Boulevard will start next week.
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced the plans today. Columbia City Manager Mike Matthes says a “diverging diamond interchange” will be built, allowing drivers to turn left without having to cross opposing traffic. "You basically change from one side of the road to the other briefly and cross back over," he says.
Clarifying that there will be two stop lights, Matthes says it is a safer way to cross traffic. He says Springfield has two such interchanges, which have proven to be effective. Columbia’s will be the first in mid-Missouri.
Construction will start this Monday. Area Engineer Mike Schupp says the project will be completed in the fall of 2014.
The project also will widen Stadium Boulevard from north of Interstate 70 to Broadway, and also will widen Bernadette Drive from Knipp Street to Beverly Drive.