The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published May 7, 2025

MoDOT: use caution at roundabout construction

VERSAILLES - Upgrading the outdated intersection at Missouri Route 52 and Missouri Route 5 in Versailles to a roundabout is underway.

The intersection will remain open but will have lane closures with flaggers directing motorists through the work zone.

Construction crews were scheduled to begin working with the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to begin building the roundabout at the intersection of Route 52 and Route 5 earlier this week.

Work will take place overnight Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through mid-June. 

All work is weather-permitting and subject to change.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $5,041,329.32 contract to S & A Equipment & Builders, LLC for the project which will install a roundabout at the junction of Route 5 and Route 52, expand Route 52 to three lanes (providing one lane of travel in each direction with a shared center turn lane), and replace existing culverts with larger structures to address flooding concerns.

MoDOT explained in their project report why they were making the changes and why they were installing a roundabout instead of a new signal

• Route 52 from Fairgrounds Road to the Route 5 junction does not adequately support the more than 7,000 vehicles that use the stretch of highway daily. Additionally, the signal at the Route 52/5 junction is outdated and improvements are necessary to address flooding.
• Signalized intersections have approximately 20-30 conflict points (spots where vehicles could collide) while roundabouts have eight. Fewer conflict points, combined with slower speeds and calmer traffic, can translate into as much as 76% fewer crashes. Additionally, compared to a signalized intersection, roundabouts cost less each year in maintenance and have a long lifespan.

The most up-to-date traffic restrictions and information about the ongoing work in Versailles can be found at modot.org/missouri-route-52-corridor-upgrades-morgan-county

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with them by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. 

Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions.  

For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map.

Information is also available 24/7 via social media.

All work is weather-related and could be delayed.

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