I-70 work begins, City Council okays Flock, Boone Health eyes Audrain County.
Buckle up, slow down, and keep your eyes on the road. (So, yeah, phone down, too.) The long-anticipated replacement of Columbia’s I-70 and Highway 63 connector — not so affectionately known as “Spaghetti Junction” — has finally started. The project was scheduled to begin October 16 with construction of two new bridges for Highway 63 traffic, with the connector makeover coming later.
Initially, all Highway 63 traffic will be rerouted to the northbound lands, later transitioning to southbound lanes as the first bridge is finished. Entrance and exit ramps will be available but with different traffic patterns.
And this is just the start, so be prepared for orange traffic cones, detour signs, and other construction markers to be part of the COMO landscape for a few years. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s $2.8 billion Improve I-70 project should be finished by 2027. In the end, I-70 will have a third lane on both the westbound and eastbound corridors from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
And this is just the start, so be prepared for orange traffic cones, detour signs, and other construction markers to be part of the COMO landscape for a few years. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s $2.8 billion Improve I-70 project should be finished by 2030. In the end, I-70 will have a third lane on both the westbound and eastbound corridors from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
Late 2027 is the anticipated completion of the first project between Columbia and Kingdom City. Lairyn McGregor, MoDOT communications coordinator, said that there are eight total project segments within the program. All will continue to be awarded throughout 2029 and entire corridor completion is scheduled for late 2030.
LAIRYN McGREGOR
Communications Coordinator
Emery Sapp and Sons Earns Major Kansas Highway Contract
Columbia-based Emery Sapp and Sons was awarded the contract for the south phase of a project that will expand the K-10/South Lawrence Trafficway in Douglas County, Kansas, in July, and the official groundbreaking took place on October 3. The total cost of the K-10/SLT project is roughly $170 million.
Flock Police Surveillance System Gets Green Light
On October 7, Columbia City Council approved a new Flock police surveillance system. The 5-2 vote — with councilmembers Valerie Carroll (First Ward) and Roy Lovelady (Third Ward) voting against purchasing the roughly $500,000 system. Thirty live-action cameras capable of reading license plates will be installed for the Columbia Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Vocal critics worry that the cameras can be used for more than just gaining “vehicular fingerprints” — general descriptions — of vehicles passing camera locations. Police proposed purchasing the system to improve public safety and to expedite investigations. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Board of Realtors, and Boone County Prosecuting Attorney were among those supporting the proposal.
Barred Owl Restaurant Continues, Butcher Shop Closes
Eclectic eatery Barred Owl Butcher and Table at 47 E. Broadway has closed its retail butcher shop. Barred Owl announced the decision on its Facebook page, citing rising costs and margins that are “too slim to justify continued retail business.” The butcher shop was part of the restaurant since 2017. The restaurant will continue with the same menu and same selections, the Facebook post noted.
COU Announces Opening of Tailwinds Market
Tailwinds Market has opened in the airport terminal at Columbia Regional Airport (COU). The new offering allows customers to make purchases quickly by just swiping a credit or debit card, or using a pay app on their cell phone, then selecting items and exiting the market.
The market offers sandwiches, salads, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, sunglasses, phone chargers, personal care items, fresh-made coffee, and more. A future phase of development will add kitchen space in the terminal for a hot grill. Tailwinds Market at COU is operated by Jackson Brothers, a refreshment services provider in the mid-Missouri area.
Boone Health Signs Letter Of Intent For Audrain County Hospital
Audrain County and Mexico, Missouri officials, and Boone Health have signed a Letter of Intent to establish a Medicare-certified critical access hospital in Audrain County.
The LOI outlines the intent of all parties to work collaboratively toward a comprehensive agreement that would bring a new critical access hospital to the community. The proposed facility would provide emergency and related services, filling a critical healthcare gap in Audrain County. Under the proposed plan, Boone Health will manage or lease the hospital facility once constructed, though several steps remain before reaching that final phase.
