An “on again”, “off again” highway project in Jefferson City is finally finished after years of planning.

The new interchange at Route 179 and Mission Road is now officially opened.

Area dignitaries cut a ribbon to open the $7.4 million project.  The new interchange accesses Mission Road that leads to the construction area for the new St. Mary’s Medical Center that’s scheduled to open in January 2015.  Even though the road leads no where else, MoDOT officials decided to open the interchange and invite traffic into a construction zone.  State transportation officials say the new interchange should help make the construction process smoother because they don’t expect much traffic from the public since there’s nothing else there.

MoDOT District Engineer David Silvester said, “Funding, the way it is, these projects are getting fewer and slimmer.  With the ability to come together and team up with folks and cities and counties, this is how we can get things delivered.”

St. Mary’s Health Center administrators said they wouldn’t have built their new hospital without the new interchange.

St. Mary’s Health Center President Brent VanConia said, “When 179 was built previously, we didn’t have access to the property.  We had to have the interchange.  With the support of the community, we would not have been able to build the new hospital without this.”

The new interchange along Route 179 includes a roundabout to make traffic flow easier and reduce the amount of accidents.

The new interchange is a joint effort of MoDOT, the City of Jefferson and Cole County.