Mizzou football will kick off against Kansas at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, but fans driving to the game should begin planning in advance for travel to and from the stadium due to expected traffic delays exacerbated by I-70 construction.
Peak congestion is anticipated in the hours leading up to kickoff and immediately after the game. There are no planned delays or work zone impacts prior to the game’s start, however, drivers should be aware of reduced shoulders and slower speed limits. Those traveling are encouraged to leave early for their destinations to account for any unforeseen delays that may arise due to collisions or breakdowns.
“We will have our engineers in the field monitoring traffic, and we’ll be working very closely with first responders and tow companies if there are any unexpected delays,” MoDOT Improve I-70 Program Director Eric Kopinski said.
Fans are encouraged to arrive at the stadium after permit and tailgate parking lots open at 7 a.m. and not before to avoid causing additional traffic delays and potential safety risks.
University of Missouri Police Department and other campus partners will be working to ensure that construction areas around the stadium are clearly marked and alternate routes are available to drivers. Officers will be in the area to direct traffic and guide fans to their destination.
Drivers should also be aware that beginning at 8 p.m., eastbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane between Callaway County Route M and U.S. Route 54 in Kingdom City for concrete crews to begin overnight work.
Fans are expected to have an approximately two-hour window to travel home after the game ends before the lane closures are implemented. However, any drivers planning to leave later in the evening should be prepared for traffic impacts.
MoDOT officials advise that when driving in work zones, it is important that motorists abide by reduced speed limits and be aware of narrowed lanes and atypical lane configurations for the safety of themselves and work crews.
“We really need everyone traveling on I-70 or any construction areas to really slow down and follow the speed limits,” Kopinski said. “If everyone does their part, we’ll have much of the same that happened last week where everyone can get to the game without any major impacts or big slowdowns.”
MoDOT encourages drivers to check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map, which shows real-time traffic impacts and includes a heat map of where expected delays will be most severe.