People interested in the Route 65 reconstruction project are encouraged to attend a public meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 23. The come-and-go style meeting will be at the MoDOT Southwest District Office, 3025 E. Kearney St.

MoDOT officials and contractor representatives will be on hand to share details about when traffic impacts can be expected and where contractors plan to start the project. There will be no formal presentation. Those unable to attend the meeting can go to an online public meeting at www.modot.org/southwest.

“Route 65: THE REBUILD” will replace the two outside lanes in each direction between Kearney and Sunshine Streets. The original pavement, built in the 1970s is deteriorating to the point where it must be replaced. The inside lane in each direction closest to the median is pavement constructed in 2010-2011 when Route 65 was widened to six lanes. No work will be done to the two inside lanes.

To complete the project quickly and safely, Route 65 will be closed in one direction at a time and in short segments between interchanges for up to 60 days – 30 days in each direction.

Because of the major traffic impacts the project will cause, MoDOT is working with local transportation stakeholders, tourism officials and city and county leaders to make them aware of the project and the expected traffic impacts.

Preliminary work begins in early June:

Contractor crews will survey the project starting the week of June 5. Drivers can expect nighttime lane closings in areas along southbound Route 65 between Kearney and Sunshine Streets. The week of June 12, crews will work in the northbound direction.

Crews will be on the road in areas between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. During the work, two lanes of southbound or two lanes of northbound will be closed. Crews will only work in one direction at a time and will only close lanes in one direction at a time.

Here’s a look at the Route 65 project:

  • Rebuild outside two lanes of Route 65 (the original pavement built in 1970s) in each direction between Kearney and Sunshine Streets
  • Rebuild or repair interchange ramps
  • Upgrade guardrail
  • Rebuild outside shoulders along Route 65 between Kearney and Sunshine Streets

Here’s a look at traffic impacts during construction:

  • Route 65 closed in one direction at a time in short segments between Kearney and Sunshine Streets
  • Signed detour: Interstate 44 to Route 360/60 (James River Freeway)
  • Interchange ramps closed at times
  • Route 65 closed a maximum of 60 days; 30 days in each direction
  • Route 65 open during July 4 and Labor Day holidays

The total project cost is $7.9 million and the completion date is Nov. 1.

A second project to rebuild the outside two lanes of Route 65 between Sunshine Street and Route 60 and rebuild another section from Interstate 44 to Kearney Street could take place as early as 2019.

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