By RYAN SKAITH

Construction on the U.S. Route 169 and Southeast Riverside Terrace intersection improvement project south of St. Joseph is officially scheduled to begin today, Monday, March 9.

While contractors from Hoy Excavating, LLC, and the Missouri Department of Transportation had originally planned to start work on March 2, the project was pushed back by one week due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Starting at approximately 9:00 this morning, Route 169 is closed to all traffic between Route AC and Southeast 70th Street. To navigate the closure, motorists must follow a signed detour that directs traffic from Route 169 to Missouri Route 31, then to U.S. Route 36 and Interstate 29, before reconnecting with Route 169.

The roadway is currently expected to remain closed until the project reaches completion in July 2026.

MoDOT says the primary goal of this initiative is to improve sight distance for drivers. The project involves shifting the U.S. Route 169 roadway slightly to the north between Summerhill Drive and the area just east of Southeast Riverside Terrace. Additionally, crews will realign both the north and south entrances of Southeast Riverside Terrace where they meet the highway.

As with all outdoor construction, the schedule remains weather-permitting and may be subject to further adjustments.