I-44 ramp closures in Rolla for Kingshighway interchange roundabout construction

Motorists who want to access eastbound Interstate 44 at mile marker 184 in Rolla will need to find alternate routes beginning Aug. 22, 2011, weather permitting.

H.D. Quadri Contractors, contractor for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will close the eastbound on-ramp to I-44 as part of a project to construct roundabouts at the interchange.

The ramp will be closed for approximately two weeks. Motorists can access eastbound I-44 by using the I-44 Business Loop (Kingshighway) to U.S. 63 north (Bishop Ave.) to the interchanges at mile markers 185 and 186.

The contractor will have various types of traffic control in place to secure the safety of the motoring public as well as their employees. MoDOT encourages motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow work zone signing and drive safely through the area.

Motorists should expect additional ramp closures at the 184 mile marker interchange as construction continues. Closures are scheduled every two weeks, and construction is staged so only one ramp will be closed at a time. Weather permitting, the on-ramp to westbound I-44 is scheduled to close on Sept. 5. The off-ramp from westbound I-44 is scheduled to close on Sept. 19, and the off-ramp from eastbound I-44 is scheduled to close Oct. 3.

MoDOT appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists during the closures, which are necessary to accelerate construction. Work on the roundabouts should be complete by late 2011.

A roundabout is an intersection which accommodates traffic flow in one direction around a central circular island. As drivers approach a roundabout, they slow down and yield to traffic already circulating through the area. When a gap in traffic appears on the left, drivers enter the roundabout by turning right and following the circle until reaching their exits.

Roundabouts reduce driver delay by allowing motorists to yield until they can safely enter the circle, rather than waiting at a traditional traffic signal. They can also handle higher traffic volumes than signalized intersection and reduce traffic crashes by lowering the speed of vehicles moving through them and eliminating many of the conflict points where vehicles can collide.

For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook for project updates.