Roundabout Work at Exit 170 Starts Monday Morning
Festus, MO · October 4, 2026
Pack a lawn chair and a thermos before heading out today — the brass section will be echoing across the Sunset Park grass by dusk. It is an ideal Sunday to slow down before tomorrow’s morning commutes shift gears.
The Lead
Crews are rolling into place for the next major overhaul of the Highway 61 and Interstate 55 interchange. Beginning Monday morning, contractor crews break ground on Phase 3 of Project Redbird, launching construction on a multi-lane roundabout designed to link Highway 61, River Cement Road, and the northbound Exit 170 ramps. The revamp is tailored to handle anticipated heavy freight and commuter traffic heading toward the upcoming James Hardie manufacturing plant, but the immediate reality for local drivers means lane shifts, intermittent shoulder closures, and newly routed detours. Jefferson County and state transportation officials are urging drivers heading south toward the county line or merging north onto the interstate to build an extra ten minutes into their morning routines. MoDOT will keep dynamic signage updated as flaggers establish the initial work zones at dawn.
Local Pulse
Bottleneck Bridge Ride Opens Final Rider Registration Community Cyclists can secure registration this week for Saturday’s annual charity ride highlighting historic covered bridges and rolling rural roads.
High School Bands Prep Fall Campus Concert Schools Musicians at the high school take the stage Thursday evening following a busy weekend of homecoming performances.
City Council Shifts October Meeting For Holiday City Hall Council members will convene on Tuesday, October 13 instead of Monday to observe Columbus and Indigenous Peoples Day.
Today's Outlook
- High 79°F · Low 51°F — Overcast
- Expect mild, cloudy skies all afternoon before cooler air settles in after sundown.
What's On Around Town
Today
3 of a Perfect Pair Live LaChance Winery (6035 2nd St), Kimmswick, 1:00–4:00 PM Acoustic rock favorites and afternoon rhythm along the historic riverfront.
Sundays at Sunset: Funky Butt Brass Band Sunset Park, 6:00–8:00 PM · Free New Orleans brass, blues, and funk under the evening sky.
Tomorrow
Monday Morning Story Time Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch (1701 Missouri State Rd), Arnold, 10:00–10:30 AM · Free
Monday Family Matinee: Winnie the Pooh Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch (1701 Missouri State Rd), Arnold, 11:00 AM–12:05 PM · Free
Tuesday
Morning Mahjong Club Festus Public Library (400 W Main St), 10:00 AM–Noon · Free
Adult Crafternoon Jefferson County Library - Arnold Branch (1701 Missouri State Rd), Arnold, 2:00 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Horine Road
- Platted in 1868 alongside the Missouri Pacific tracks, this familiar stretch took its name from Civil War veteran and country lawyer C. Thomas Horine. Before becoming a bustling northern commuter corridor, it guided horse-drawn wagons straight to Horine Station’s wood-fired depot.
Festus Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.