New ramp opens connecting eastbound I-70 to southbound U.S. 63 in Columbia

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A major milestone has been reached in reconfiguring the Interstate 70/U.S. Route 63 interchange in Columbia, with the opening of the first new ‘direct connect’ ramp this afternoon, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 

Opening much earlier than the original end-of-the-year completion date, the new ramp allows for direct access from eastbound I-70 to southbound U.S 63. This new connection is designed to improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion at the Connector.  

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.  

This work is part of the first project in MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program, Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City, which will add a third lane of travel in each direction to the 20-mile stretch of I-70 between Columbia) and Kingdom City. This $405 million fixed-cost contract includes new pavement on all three lanes of I-70 and will also make interchange improvements to the I-70 interchanges at U.S. Route 63 and U.S. Route 54.   

Missouri’s FY2024 budget, approved through the state legislative process and governor, provides $2.8 billion in General Revenue to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville. For more information on the Improve I-70 Program and to sign up for program e-updates, visit http://www.modot.org/improvei70. 

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates. 

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