Counties Impacted
Buchanan
Route Impacted
229
Work Type
Planning and Environmental Study
Planning Phase

project Project Summary:

I-229 is a corridor that carries traffic through downtown St. Joseph on the Double-Decker Bridge along the Missouri River. In 2025, the I-229 Moving Forward Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed, and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the preferred alternative, which will remove the bridge and replace it with a four-lane roadway.

Now, MoDOT is working with consultants from Burns & McDonnell to gather necessary survey data, right-of-way and railway information to prepare for project design and construction. 

Project Timeline

In Progress
Project Preparation (Now – Summer 2026)
  • Survey data collection, determine right-of-way needs, geotechnical investigation, railroad contact, and conceptual design work.
  • Working through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) process to dedesignate I-229 as an interstate and determine new route name. 
  • Stakeholder and community outreach.
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Not Started
Construction Process Determination (Fall 2026 – 2027)
  • Fall 2026: MoDOT will make the determination if the project will be constructed via the Design-Bid-Build or Design-Build process. For more information about these approaches to construction, visit: https://www.modot.org/db
  • Spring 2027: Stakeholder and community outreach. 
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Not Started
Project Design (2027 – 2028)
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Not Started
Project Construction (2028-2030)
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I-229 Double-Decker Bridge Overview Riverside

The Preferred Alternative

The double-decker bridge will be removed and replaced with a new four-lane arterial road constructed at-grade (elevated as necessary for compliance with floodplain and stormwater requirements) in generally the same location as the existing double-decker bridge between the railroad tracks and the Missouri River.

The Preferred Alternative

news Project News

Project Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is this project being considered for Design-Build? 

Yes, this project is being considered for Design-Build. A determination of whether this project will be constructed via Design-Build or traditional Design-Bid-Build process is expected in the Fall of 2026. Information provided during stakeholder and public outreach will be utilized to form the project goals. 
To learn more about Design-Build, visit: https://www.modot.org/db

Where will access to downtown St. Joseph be located? 

There will be access to downtown St. Joseph. What that will look like, we don’t know at this stage. 

The preferred alternative noted improved connection at U.S. Route 59 (St. Joseph Avenue). Consultants from Burns & McDonnell and the MoDOT project team are currently researching the feasibility of access at several locations at the north end of the project. 

Will I-229 remain an Interstate? 

No, the MoDOT project team is currently working through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) process to de-designate I-229 in its entirety. 

Will there be improvements to the U.S. Route 36 and I-229 intersection? 

Three planned bridge projects have been combined into this project, as they are scheduled to be under construction at the same time the I-229 project. Combining the projects allows for better coordination of traffic control and potential closures. These bridges include: 

  • Ramp bridge from southbound I-229 to eastbound U.S. Route 36 (redeck). 
  • U.S. Route 36 bridge over 6th Street and railroad (redeck). 
  • U.S. Route 36 bridge over 9th Street (replacement).  

Where can I learn more about the completed EA Study and Preferred Alternative? 

Visit: https://www.modot.org/stjoe229/environmental

 

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I-229 Double-Decker Bridge Overview 1

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