How does MoDOT plan transportation projects?

MoDOT maintains a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), to reflect the ongoing plans for construction projects to be undertaken in the next five years. The STIP is updated annually to reflect the continuing plans to study, design and construct the transportation capital projects within the state. The STIP is prepared to reflect the funded projects, including projects that partly depend on local share funding by cities, counties or other funding organizations. Nearly all of the STIP projects are coordinated with various federal funding agencies. This project will be coordinated through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). FHWA provides guidance, reviews, and approvals at key progress points in the life of a project.

What transportation projects are the reason for THIS study?

The I-70 STL Conceptual Study, from the Missouri River to North Hanley Rd., is going to be accomplished to prepare for two specific STIP projects. The STIP for 2024-2028 includes the design and reconstruction of several bridges at the I-70 and I-270 interchange as well as MO 180 (St. Charles Rock Road) over I-70. Additionally, St. Louis Lambert International Airport is planning some improvements to their local roadway network that will likely affect motorists traveling I-70.

What Is the goal of the Conceptual Study?

The future bridges and related roadways in the project areas should ideally function smoothly as a network. The traffic engineers and related specialists will be modeling a variety of alternative roadway plans and intersection designs to determine how to best balance the traffic throughout the affected area. The result of the study should be preferred alternatives for the geometry and specific locations for the bridges to be reconstructed. Additionally, the preferred alternatives should also reflect coordination with the airport’s planned improvements to their internal roadway network.

Will this Conceptual Study address the challenges of special event traffic demands in this corridor?

MoDOT’s policy is to not accommodate special event traffic demands in their roadway planning and design. Funding is prioritized to maintain the existing state roadway network in good condition, and to plan for and design a network that addresses the daily needs of the community, to the extent possible.  The department works closely with event facilities and their staff to manage special event traffic.

How are bridge projects planned and designed?

When designing and reconstructing a multi-lane interstate highway bridge, the project cannot just replace the existing structure. The new bridges are designed to reflect the most recent requirements for safety, lane widths, shoulders, and construction materials; as well as addressing required lane geometry, merging distances and safety concerns based on the current and future traffic volumes and traffic incidence frequencies.

What funding information is available?

The study divides the affected I-70 roadway into two segments. Segment 1 begins at the Missouri River and continues to just west of Route 67 (Lindbergh Blvd.). This segment includes bridges that are included in the STIP. Segment 2 begins just west of Lindbergh Blvd. to North Hanley Rd. This segment is not included in the STIP and is not funded at this time.

While the two I-70 bridges in Segment 1 are funded within the STIP, there are aspects of this Conceptual Study that do not yet have funding. These unfunded elements will be included within the High Priority Unfunded Needs (HPUN) list, for consideration as other funding becomes available.

What role does the community play?

Traffic volumes and estimated growth rates can only accomplish so much when it comes to predicting future needs and analyzing current conditions. This is where members of our community will play an essential role.

1. Listening Sessions. MoDOT staff and the consultants will hold Listening Sessions with a variety of public officials and local agencies in the project area. They will be asking about future plans for development, construction, expansion and other community changes that could affect the local transportation needs or change the access to/from major employers or destinations.
2. Community Advisory Group. Participants included in the Listening Sessions will be asked to identify specific stakeholders to serve on a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to meet several times during the course of the project. Detailed insight into issues such as economic development, utility work, municipal needs, and other infrastructure projects will be shared and discussed during CAG meetings.
3. Public Meetings. After the Listening Sessions and at the conclusion of the project, the project team will share the initial possibilities and then the preferred alternatives with the community-at large during a public meeting. The input from community members at this meeting will greatly enhance the project team’s knowledge of local issues and preferences in the study corridor. The project team will talk with members of the public to hear concerns and answer questions about the initial alternatives.

How will the project conclude?

MoDOT staff and the consultants will refine the proposed alternatives for the project area. They will balance traffic requirements and design preferences with available funding, with the goal of producing practical plans that will serve the motorists of the region with roadways that are safe and effective.  These plans will be shared with the community at a final public meeting. The plans will be used as the foundation for the eventual procurement process for the design, engineering, and construction of the bridges. Any unfunded elements that remain will continue to be considered for procurement when funding becomes available.

Anticipated Outcomes

Some of the desired products of the study will likely include:

• The purpose and need for various improvements.
• Goals, objectives, and evaluation measures for this corridor.
• Alternative strategies to address identified problems.
• An analysis of possible impacts of these alternatives in terms of environmental, transportation, and financial impacts.
• An evaluation of how each alternative addresses the problems, goals and objectives for the corridor.

How To Participate

Public input improves public projects by reflecting the needs of stakeholders affected by the project.

• Review information about the Conceptual Study on the project website.
• All public input opportunities will be posted well in advance through local media, online and on MoDOT's social media pages.
• Sign up for email updates by submitting a request through the link on the project's home page.