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Two directional "flyover" ramps – designed to ease congestion and eliminate short, criss-crossing merge points on the northbound U.S. 65 bridge over U.S. 60 – are the main features of the plan to rebuild the U.S. 60/65 interchange.
The proposal to fix the southeast Springfield interchange, unveiled July 13, 2006, is a major priority for MoDOT, Springfield metro and statewide transportation planners.
Design plans are being finalized. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009.
The estimated $65-million project will improve traffic flow and safety for the next 20 years by:
- Building flyover ramps for the two busiest movements – northbound U.S. 65-to-westbound U.S. 60 and eastbound U.S. 60-to-northbound U.S. 65. This will eliminate the short weaving area on the northbound U.S. 65 bridge over U.S. 60.
- Building bridges for U.S. 60 and adjacent ramps over the BNSF railroad track serving the Springfield City Utilities power plant. High-speed traffic will no longer have to stop for coal trains at the crossing west of U.S. 65.
- Building new northbound and southbound U.S. 65 bridges.
- Widening and re-decking the eastbound and westbound U.S. 60 bridges over Lake Springfield. Ramp lanes will be extended onto the bridges as well.
Construction will be staged to keep traffic moving. However, lanes will be reduced and low-volume ramps will be closed temporarily.
The project will allow for the addition of lanes to U.S. 65 and U.S. 60 and building of other flyover ramps when needed in the future and when funds are available.
Project Timeline:
- 2002 – A four-lane freeway designated as Route 360 is completed, extending the James River Freeway between West Sunshine Street and I-44. The project provides a freeway connecting U.S. 65 and I-44 across south Springfield, closing a loop that includes I-44 across north Springfield and U.S. 65 along the city's east side.
- Spring 2005 – Reconstruction of U.S. 60/65 is made a priority by a MoDOT planning partner, the Ozarks Transport-ation Organization.
Passage of Amendment 3 in 2004 makes it possible for statewide Major Projects Task Force to add 60/65 to MoDOT’s 5-year construction schedule.
- Fall 2005 – Public meetings to prioritize needs
- July 2006 – Public meeting to unveil preferred option and gather feedback
- April 2007 – Final public meeting to show preliminary plans
- 2008 – Acquire right-of-way, develop construction plans, move nearby trails
- 2009 – Begin construction
- 2011 – New “flyover” ramps open
For more information, contact our Springfield District Office at 417-895-7600 or
1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). Last updated: July 2008.
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