Construction confusion: Fwy lanes shift for final weeks of work

SPRINGFIELD, MO – For the last four years, parts of James River Freeway have been an ongoing construction zone.  First, MoDOT widened the highway to six lanes between U.S. 65 and National Avenue. That portion opened in 2022.  The current phase entails expanding the highway between National Ave. and Kansas Expressway.

Finally, after years of construction signs and lane shifts, drivers have an end in sight.  MoDOT says it is on track to be done with this latest segment of the expansion by November 1.

Brad Gripka, MoDOT Resident Engineer, said, “No more signs, no more orange cones. And then, speed will be back to normal at that point, hopefully by Thanksgiving.”

As things wrap up, some drivers are running into a little bit of confusion- particularly at the new eastbound off-ramp to Kansas Expressway. Some viewers have asked OzarksFirst about the configuration and if a fix is in the works.

MoDOT tells us the new format will include two lanes instead of the previous one. The lanes have been re-striped, but the overhead truss signs, which will tell drivers which lane is which, are still two to three weeks from being installed. Currently, the old signage is still in place.

While OzarksFirst was at the site on Thursday checking out the situation, we noticed several vehicles weaving in and out of the lanes as drivers noticed, at the last second, that they were in the wrong spot.

MoDOT tells us it knows things are a little confusing right now, but it has warning signs telling drivers to be aware beforehand.

For now, everyone is urged to pay attention and have patience.

Gripka said, “We’re going to be out here day and night trying to wrap this project up. You know, just pay attention and slow down.”  He added,” It is a work zone. It is a long work zone. We’ll try to do our best to open up the speed limit on the ends as we finish to wrap up. But while we’re working and doing our final connections, we just ask everyone to pay attention and watch out for our workers out here.”

There are lane closings in the coming weeks, along the entire stretch- for crews to install those overhead signs.

After November, major work on the James River Freeway will be done for now. Eventually, the freeway will be widened to Sunshine St. and I-44. But, MoDOT has said that the project is still several years out.

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