Traffic Alert! Hwy 54 Work Begins This Week In Jeff City. Here Are 3 Alternate Routes To The Lake

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Travelers heading to Lake of the Ozarks may need to consider alternate routes as Highway 54 bridge work begins July 8 in Jefferson City.

However, those routes will vary based on starting point and destination.

When The Work & Closures Are Happening

July 8 -- Concrete Strategies, LLC, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will begin work under the U.S. Route 50 and McCarty Street overpasses on July 8. Some nightly single-lane closures on U.S. Route 50, McCarty Street, and ramps on the tri-level bridges may be necessary. Advance notice will be given before any lane or ramp closures.

July 15 -- Starting July 15, the half-mile stretch of U.S. Route 54 from just south of the Missouri River bridges to Business U.S. 50 (Missouri Boulevard) will narrow to one lane, in each direction. The first phase will reduce the eastbound Route 54 lane to 10 feet, while the westbound lane will be 15 feet wide. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour through the work zone. During this phase, all ramps are expected to remain open.

October 6 -- Work should be completed. The work will be completed in two phases, over a period of up to 90 days. There are incentives built into the contract, should the crews restore two lanes of traffic each direction earlier than the 90-day window. (October 6 is 91 days after July 8.)

Alternate Routes To Lake Of The Ozarks

Headed to the Lake and want to avoid the traffic jams?

For Kansas Citians, Kansans, Iowans, and Nebraskans coming to the Lake, this likely won't affect the trip at all: the route typically brings them in from the west, along Highway 50, to Highway 135 or Highway 5.

But for St. Louisans and visitors coming to the Lake from the east (Illinois, etc.), Interstate 70 to Highway 54 tends to be the main route.

Check traffic before you go (here's MoDot's Traffic Map). But if you're headed to the Lake on a Friday, it's likely you'll be waiting a long time as you crawl through Jefferson City. That's bad enough, but it's even worse if you're trailering a boat.

So here are a few alternate routes to the Lake from the east!

1) Interstate 44 -- This is actually almost as quick as the I-70 -> Hwy 54 route, if you're coming from or through the St. Louis area. Take I-44 west. Hop on Highway 68 in St. James. And then in Vienna, take Highway 42 all the way into Osage Beach. Warning: these are some winding, hill-country-roads. Folks in the back seat might be a tad queasy by the time you arrive.

Google Maps directions: The I-44 Route to Lake of the Ozarks

2) The Scenic Route -- This one only adds another 15 minutes, and it's truly a beautiful scenic route. Take I-44 west, but only for about 30 minutes. Then hop on Highway 50 (exit 247) and ride that until you hit Highway 28 (past Gerald, Mo.) You'll hit Highway 42 south of Belle, Mo. and then... the Lake! (Same warning here about winding roads.)

Google Maps directions: The Scenic Route to Lake of the Ozarks

3) The Columbia Route -- This one will add about 45 minutes (compared to the normal route, without traffic). But if you'd rather stick to I-70 or want to make a stop through Columbia, it's still a reasonable route to the Lake. Take I-70 west. DON'T exit in Kingdom City (the typical exit). Continue, past Columbia, to exit 111, and hit Highway 179 south. In Jamestown, you'll hop on Highway 87 south. And that'll take you to Highway 54, just outside of Eldon.

Google Maps directions: The Columbia Route to Lake of the Ozarks

More Info

“This work is vital to keep these 60-year-old bridges in good condition, but we will have to narrow lanes and slow down traffic for everyone’s safety,” said Central District Engineer Machelle Watkins. “While eastbound traffic will be restricted to 10-foot-wide vehicles, it’s important for motorists to realize that most vehicles – including boats and RVs – are 8-feet, 6-inches, or narrower. Anything wider than the legal width of 8-foot-6-inches requires an over-dimension permit from MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services.”

A webpage about this project can be found at https://www.modot.org/us-route-54-bridge-rehabilitations-over-us-route-50-and-mccarty-street-cole-county. The site includes maps outlining traffic impacts, answers to frequently asked questions and a sign-up form to receive project-specific email updates.

MoDOT asks all motorists to buckle up, put the phone down, obey all traffic signs, and slow down and move over in work zones.