PHOTO GALLERY: Construction nearly complete on U.S. 63 interchange

November 14, 2012 | 6:15 p.m. CST

Road workers continued construction Tuesday on a new interchange on U.S. 63 that leads to Columbia Regional Airport. The interchange will open to traffic this Friday.

George Jackson, left, and Dustin Argabright scatter straw on the side of the road Tuesday on the northbound side of U.S. 63. Construction on the highway and Route H will conclude Friday. | Kayla Kauffman

George Jackson scatters straw to protect freshly planted grass seed Tuesday on the northbound side of U.S. 63 south of Columbia. The new grass will grow when the ground thaws in the spring. | Kayla Kauffman

Steven Wieman waits to drill farther into the ground Tuesday on the northbound side of U.S. 63. Wieman and his crew were drilling the hole to put in a new light as part of the finishing touches of construction on the highway. | Kayla Kauffman

Construction continues on the overpass that will allow drivers to cross over U.S. 63 via Route H to access Columbia Regional Airport. The overpass will open to traffic Friday. | Kayla Kauffman

Steven Wieman climbs on top of the digger of a boom truck Tuesday on the northbound side of U.S. 63. A streetlight will be placed in the hole to illuminate the newly constructed exit to the diamond interchange of U.S. 63 and Route H. | Kayla Kauffman