Columbia to Discuss Old Plank Road Culvert Replacement

City council to hold public hearing on $757,490 project to fix deteriorating infrastructure

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The City of Columbia, Missouri will hold a public hearing during Monday night's city council meeting to discuss design plans for the Old Plank Road culvert replacement project. The existing culvert, built in 1986, has significantly deteriorated over time with 90% of the metal at the bottom rusted through. The city has appropriated $757,490.18 for the project as part of its system maintenance program.

Why it matters

The Old Plank Road culvert project is part of the city's broader efforts to maintain and upgrade its aging infrastructure. The deteriorating culvert poses risks to public safety and could lead to further damage if not addressed. Replacing the culvert is a key step in ensuring the continued functionality of this critical transportation route.

The details

The Old Plank Road Replacement Project will remove the existing failing and undersized corrugated metal culverts and replace them with a single-opening arch structure. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026. The total project budget is $400,000, with the city appropriating $757,490.18 and having spent $26,153.87 so far, leaving a remaining balance of $730,846.61.

  • The city council will hold a public hearing on the project during its meeting on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Construction on the Old Plank Road culvert replacement project is expected to begin in fall 2026.

The players

City of Columbia

The local government of Columbia, Missouri, responsible for managing and maintaining the city's infrastructure, including the Old Plank Road culvert.

Tom Wellman

The project manager for the Old Plank Road Replacement Project.

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What’s next

The city council will decide whether to approve the design plans for the Old Plank Road culvert replacement project during the public hearing on Monday night.

The takeaway

The Old Plank Road culvert replacement project is a critical infrastructure upgrade for the City of Columbia, addressing the deterioration of a key transportation route and ensuring the continued safety and functionality of the city's roadways.