Governor Mike Parson (R) (above) and the Missouri Department of Transportation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first project within the state’s “Improve I-70 Program” in Columbia; a program that seeks to reduce traffic congestion and boost safety across the I-70 corridor.
[Above photo via the Missouri Governor’s Office]
“[This] groundbreaking is a momentous occasion not only because we’re kicking off our historic Improve I-70 project, but as it’s a culmination of the bold infrastructure initiatives we’ve prioritized since day one,” Gov. Parson said in a statement.
“[The] I-70 corridor is one of Missouri’s oldest and most vital corridors,” he added. “The safety and economic prosperity of Missourians depend on an interstate that grows along with the state and nation. Expanding I-70 to six lanes … will serve Missourians for generations to come.”
Missouri’s fiscal year 2024 budget from the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor provides $2.8 billion to cover the costs of building a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
This first project within this long-term highway program – the “Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City” project, with work set to begin this July and wrap up in late 2027 – is a $405 million fixed-cost effort to add an additional lane to I-70 in each direction between U.S. Route 63 in Columbia and Route 54 in Kingdom City.
The project also incorporates $123 million in previously programmed MoDOT projects to improve the I-70 interchanges at both Route 63 and Route 54.
The planned improvements for this initial I-70 project include new concrete pavement on all three lanes of the interstate in each direction. Additionally, throughout construction two lanes of travel will be available in both directions of I-70 during peak hours, MoDOT said.
States
Julie Meredith Appointed New WSDOT Secretary
January 10, 2025
States
