By RYAN SKAITH
Utility conflicts and weather delays have pushed back the first phase of a major intersection improvement project at U.S. Route 59 and Alabama Street in Buchanan County, transportation officials announced.
Aminos Brothers Co. Inc., working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Transportation, began Stage 1 of the project in April 2025. While originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, a combination of contractor scheduling issues and environmental factors has moved the target completion date for this phase to March 2026.
Crews have successfully realigned Alabama Street east of Route 59. Current work focuses on paving roadway transitions and establishing temporary access for local businesses. Before the roadway fully reopens for this stage, crews will install temporary signage and traffic markings along Route 59.
The project will transition into Stages 2 and 3 once the current phase is finalized. MoDOT officials stated that specific details regarding the upcoming stages will be released prior to the change in traffic patterns.
Construction is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours. The entire project, which encompasses improvements to the intersection of Route 59, Missouri Route 752, and Buchanan County Route U, is expected to be finished by spring 2027.
Officials noted that all work is weather-permitting and schedules may change as construction progresses.