COLUMBIA, MISSOURI — A semi-truck crash under the connector bridge near Interstate 70 West in Columbia closed both westbound lanes early Thursday morning, causing traffic delays and impacting school bus routes.
The crash happened during rainy morning conditions near the area where U.S. 63 connects with I-70.
Westbound Lanes Closed
The Columbia Police Department said around 3:30 a.m. that officers were working the crash under the connector bridge.
Both westbound lanes of I-70 were closed, and traffic was being diverted onto the connector.
Police urged drivers to seek alternate routes while crews responded to the crash.
School Buses Delayed
A Columbia Public Schools alert sent around 7 a.m. warned that all buses could be delayed because of the road closure.
The crash was one of several reported during the rainy Thursday morning commute.
No injuries or additional details about the semi-truck driver were immediately released.
Construction Already Planned for Same Area
The crash happened near the I-70 and U.S. 63 connector, where MoDOT already had construction work scheduled to begin Friday night.
MoDOT plans to set girders for a flyover ramp that will connect northbound U.S. 63 to westbound I-70.
The work is expected to close one lane of westbound I-70 and block several access points through the weekend.
Drivers Warned of Weekend Delays
MoDOT said the construction is scheduled to last from Friday night until around 6 a.m. Monday, though crews may finish earlier.
During the work, westbound I-70 drivers should expect to be limited to one lane and routed over the Exit 128 overpass.
Project Director Nicole Samer said drivers using westbound I-70 during construction could see delays of up to an hour.
“For this weekend, and this weekend only, hopefully people can avoid the area,” Samer said.
Eastbound I-70 is not expected to be affected by the construction.
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