New Route 67 and Route CC Interchange Prepares to Open

Festus, MO · November 6, 2026

The smell of autumn leaves is in the air this Friday morning, perfect for an evening bonfire or early weekend wandering.

The Lead

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that work is officially wrapping up on the newly transformed U.S. Route 67 and Route CC interchange. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with contractors KCI Construction and Bartlett & West is slated for next Thursday morning on the outer road, marking the substantial completion of the southern segment of the wider $246 million Interstate 55 Corridor Improvements Project.

For motorists who routinely navigate between Festus and neighboring towns, the project replaces an aging, heavily congested signalized intersection with a grade-separated interchange designed to smooth regional traffic flow and sharply cut down collision risks. While broader corridor widening across I-55 continues into late spring 2027, clearing this southern pinch point gives local commuters immediate breathing room. Drivers can expect signage shifts and lane adjustments as crews remove the final work-zone barrels next week.

Local Pulse

Hayrides and Bonfires Return to Crites Parks Larry G. Crites Memorial Park hosts its annual community campout Saturday evening with family activities.
County Assessor Extends Outreach Office Hours City Hall Satellite office staff will assist seniors and qualifying residents with property tax relief paperwork through month's end.
Winter Sheltering Protocol Finalized Ahead of Freeze Safety Jefferson County emergency services completed coordination with regional shelters as night temperatures dip toward seasonal lows.

Today's Outlook

High 54°F · Low 38°F — Overcast
- Keep a warm jacket handy today, as cloud cover keeps afternoon temperatures brisk.

What's On Around Town

Today

First Friday Gathering Larry G. Crites Memorial Park (Turtle Cove), 3:00 PM · Free Lakeside park visit with games, snacks, and casual conversation.
Live Acoustic with Josh Driskill Twin City Fun Venue, 7:00 PM Regional singer-songwriter playing an intimate evening acoustic set.

Tomorrow

Festus Ladies Night East Main Street (between Mill and Brierton), 2:00–8:00 PM · Free
Camp Crites Fall Bonfire & Hayrides Larry G. Crites Memorial Park, 4:30 PM · Free
The Murphtones Live Main Street Music Hall, 7:00 PM · Paid

Sunday

Scenic Glade Morning Hike Victoria Glades Conservation Area, 8:00 AM · Free

Spotlight & Story

Route 61-67 Mile Marker 174
- Drivers pass it daily without a glance, but the historic junction of U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 67 here in Jefferson County represents a convergence planned back in 1926. For exactly a century, that concrete corridor has carried travelers between St. Louis and the southeastern timberlands.

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