I-229 Moving Forward Timeline

May 24, 2018: Initiated EA

MoDOT initiated an environmental assessment of the I-229 corridor. Hg Consult was brought in to facilitate the EA.

2018 - Now: Stakeholder Meetings

Throughout the study, the EA team has met with stakeholders within and near the I-229 corridor, as well as those who use the double-decker. These groups include, but are not limited to:

• Businesses within, and in the region, of the I-229 corridor
• Agricultural community (farmers, grain elevators, etc.)
• Freight industry (truck drivers, major shippers, ag. haulers, etc.)
• City of St. Joseph
• Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown associations
• Downtown development and revitalization organizations
• Elected officials
• Regional Planning Commission
• Metropolitan Planning Organization

Oct. 9, 2018: Public Meeting #1

Stakeholders, community leaders and the public gathered together to consider the needs and priorities of the EA and the I-229 corridor.

Nov. 1, 2018: Agency Scoping Meeting

Federal, state and local governmental units and federally-recognized tribal representatives met to discuss the EA and its impacts.

2018-2019: Initial Alternatives Developed

Using the information gathered from Public Meeting #1, Stakeholder meetings, and the Agency Scoping Meeting, twenty corridor alternatives were developed and analyzed by the EA team.

April 4, 2019: Public Meeting #2

The 20 Initial Alternatives were presented to the public in an open-house format at the Remington Nature Center. Public comments were taken at the meeting and via email.

2019-2020: Development of Reasonable Alternatives

Using the feedback from stakeholders, gathered during Public Meeting #2 and the detailed analysis of the Initial Alternatives, the EA team developed six (6) Reasonable Alternatives. All alternatives no longer being considered, may be viewed here. 

2020-2022: Detailed Analysis of Reasonable Alternatives

The EA team completed extensive analysis of the six Reasonable Alternatives.

October 2020: New Alternative Introduced

The St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization, the local metropolitan planning organization (MPO), brought a new alternative to the EA team.

2020-2022: Detailed Analysis of the New Alternative

The EA team incorporated the new alternative proposed by the MPO into the detailed analysis of the Reasonable Alternatives, which is now number seven (7).

May 2022: New Alternative Introduced

Newly-elected St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale proposed a new alternative on the same alignment of the current I-229 Double-Decker Bridge.

May-June 2022: Detailed Analysis of the New Alternative

The EA team put the newly proposed alternative through the same analysis as the original six Reasonable Alternatives and the alternative proposed by the MPO.

July - September 2022: Website Relaunch and Public Meeting #3

In August 2022, the revamped I-229 Moving Forward EA website was launched. An open-house style public meeting was held Sept. 1, 2022 at the Remington Nature Center. Both the public meeting and website provided an opportunity to bring the community up-to-date on where the I-229 Moving Forward EA stood, which corridor alternatives were still being considered (and why) and provided the public another opportunity to comment through Sept. 30, 2022.

Spring 2024: EA Document Presented to FHWA

The EA team finalized the EA document for presentation to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and, based on analysis and feedback from stakeholders and the public, select a Recommended Preferred Alternative.  

July 2024: EA Document Approved by FHWA

EA document approved and signed by FHWA.

August 2024: Public Hearing

The Recommended Preferred Alternative and supporting documents were available for public review and a formal public hearing was held on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. The EA team then documented and addressed any comments and concerns received and submitted the final EA document to FHWA. 

December 2024: FONSI Issued 

FHWA issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) marking the formal conclusion of the assessment and the ability to move forward with the preferred alternative. 

What's Next?

During it’s July 2024 meeting, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) approved an amendment to the 2025 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) which includes funding for right of way in Fiscal Year 2027. No additional funding or timeline has been designated for design or construction of the project.