MoDOT delaying some I-70 work for Homecoming weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

Construction crews along I-70 will delay some of their weekend work in Columbia and Boone County for the University of Missouri's Homecoming weekend.

Lairyn McGregor, spokesperson for MoDOT's Improve I-70 project, said crews will push paving work to later evening hours to accommodate a potential uptick in traffic. Paving work west of the Midway exit would begin later on Friday night "to lessen impacts to those traveling into Columbia." No paving will take place on Saturday in that same area.

McGregor said crews will do some paving work on Saturday night at the east end of Columbia, but that would begin around 8 p.m., and would only affect westbound traffic.

Thousands are expected to visit Columbia this weekend for the University of Missouri's 115th Homecoming celebration. The 25th-ranked Mizzou Tigers will play against the 8th ranked Florida Gators in a 2:30 p.m. matchup, aired on ABC 17. The Homecoming Parade will take place at 9 a.m. through downtown Columbia and parts of campus.

Megan McConachie at the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau said some hotel rooms did remain in the market, but other hotels were sold out.