Cars in I-70, KOMUnews · KOMUnews · CC BY 2.0 · cropped
The Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled a full week of lane closures and maintenance across mid-Missouri, with general highway construction and moving operations planned from September 25 through October 4, 2026, according to the agency’s Central District notice.
If you are driving through central Missouri this week, plan extra time and check conditions before you leave, because intermittent and long term single lane closures will slow traffic on Interstate 70 and other key routes. Drivers who used I-70 near Columbia recently already saw restrictions there, as described in the I-70 Columbia Connector lane report, and this week’s program extends that pattern across the region.
- What: MoDOT planned roadwork week across mid-Missouri, September 25 through October 4, 2026.
- Where: Rural routes, state roads and U.S. highways across the Central District, plus I-70 single lane closures.
- When: Work runs Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4, alongside moving daytime operations.
- Action: Check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map before departure and allow extra travel time.
Closures Span Interstates, State Roads and Rural Routes
MoDOT’s weekly program covers the full range of its central Missouri network, from rural lettered routes to state roads to U.S. highways, KOMU reported on September 27. That breadth matters for travelers because a trip across the region can cross several active zones in a single drive, and delays can compound along the way.
Alongside the fixed construction sites, MoDOT crews will run moving operations that appear with little warning. Pothole patching, mowing, brush cutting, striping and pavement repairs continue at various locations through the week, so drivers should watch for slow moving equipment and lane shifts even on stretches with no posted closure.
Interstate 70 Carries the Longest Delays
The heaviest traveler impact falls on Interstate 70, where the Improve I-70 program brings both intermittent and long term single lane closures, according to KOMU’s report on the MoDOT release. I-70 is the main east west artery through mid-Missouri, linking Columbia with Kingdom City, St. Louis and Kansas City, so even a single closed lane can back traffic up for miles at peak hours.
MoDOT notes that the Improve I-70 Columbia to Kingdom City segment has moved into design build as environmental review work wraps up. That means drivers should treat I-70 work zones as a running feature of fall travel in the corridor, not a one week event, and build buffer time into every crossing for the rest of the season.
How to Check Your Route Before You Leave
Before starting a mid-Missouri drive this week, open the MoDOT Traveler Information Map and enter your route to see signed work zones along the way. The map shows current closures and slowdowns, and it is the fastest way to spot whether your specific highway segment is affected on your travel day.
For questions about a specific project, MoDOT staff can be reached at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT. Travelers can also follow the agency’s Central District accounts for same day updates, since weather can postpone scheduled work and shift the closure calendar with little notice.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Drive I-70 through Columbia or Kingdom City this week | Allow extra time and check the Traveler Information Map on September 28 through October 4. |
| Use rural routes or state roads in mid-Missouri | Watch for flagging crews and short delays from patching, striping and mowing operations. |
| Travel on Sunday, October 4 | Confirm that scheduled work has wrapped before counting on normal drive times. |
| Cross Missouri after October 4 | Keep checking I-70 conditions, because Improve I-70 single lane closures continue past this work week. |
What Changes After October 4
The scheduled mid-Missouri maintenance week ends Sunday, October 4, and the fixed lane closures tied to this release should lift after that date, weather permitting. Moving operations such as mowing and striping follow their own rolling calendar and can appear wherever crews are assigned.
The longer running projects continue regardless. The Route 63 and Boone County Route AC interchange work around Grindstone Parkway addresses a congested Columbia corridor, and the Improve I-70 corridor program runs well beyond October. Drivers planning fall trips through the region should keep the map check as a habit, not a one time step.
September 28 is the start gate. Beginning Monday, add buffer time to every mid-Missouri drive and verify your route on the Traveler Information Map.
October 4 is the release gate. After Sunday, the scheduled week’s closures should clear, but confirm before assuming normal speeds on I-70.
Fall season is the standing gate. Improve I-70 work continues past this week, so keep checking conditions on every corridor crossing.
Which roads are affected by the MoDOT work week?
Rural routes, state roads and U.S. highways across mid-Missouri from September 28 through October 4, with the longest delays on Interstate 70 under the Improve I-70 program.
Will the work affect weekend driving?
Yes. The program runs Monday through Sunday, so weekend trips on October 3 and 4 need the same buffer time and advance map check as weekday drives.
Where can I see current Missouri closures?
Use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map before you leave, or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT about a specific project on your route.
Does the roadwork end on October 4?
The scheduled maintenance week ends October 4, but Improve I-70 single lane closures and other corridor projects continue, so keep checking conditions on later trips.
