In March, alternate route signs will line routes along Interstate 44 in an effort to help manage work zones this construction season. MoDOT does not typically sign alternate routes to the magnitude they will be this year, but with 26 projects on I-44, establishing alternate routes will be imperative to traffic management.

One of the most significant projects on I-44 will occur in Crawford County, near Cuba, where reconstruction of more than 12 miles of the westbound lanes will require head-to-head traffic. The use of alternate routes should alleviate some of the delays and congestions.

“We don’t normally reroute motorists because of a work zone unless the road is closed,” said Tom Honich, sign and marking engineer. “This work zone is an exception.”

Work on I-44 is starting earlier than usual this year in the hopes that some construction will be completed before heavy vacation travel begins on Memorial Day weekend. In the meantime, we’re trying to help travelers navigate around the work zones through the use of alternate routes.

“We experienced what could happen without alternate routes last year and quickly saw it wouldn’t work,” said Ed Hess, operations engineer for District 9 and head of the I-44 work zone management team. “We established a number of alternate routes during the middle of last construction season and will be using those routes again as well as some others.”

The alternate route signs are exactly like the I-44 route shield that lines the interstate with one variation – above the shields there will be a black on white plaque that reads “alternate.”  New signs will be placed at junctions on Routes 50, 54, 28 and 63. The signs will be put in place as work zones are set up on Interstate 44.

“If someone wants to go from St. Louis to the Lake of the Ozarks and wants to avoid the work in Cuba, they can take an alternate route,” Honich said. “The signs will direct them.”

Printable Version of Alternative I-44 Routes