Counties Impacted
Jefferson
Route Impacted
55
Work Type
Corridor Upgrades
In Progress

I-55 Corridor Improvements Project

The I-55 Corridor Improvements project area includes the cities of Pevely, Herculaneum, Festus, and Crystal City.  The purpose of this project is to address traffic and safety concerns along the I-55 corridor and account for future development and growth patterns in the region.

During the first phase of the project, The Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) St. Louis District, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration, conducted a conceptual study along Interstate 55, from the Route Z interchange to the U.S. 67 interchange in Jefferson County. The next phase of the project involves preliminary design of the recommended alternative, additional study of traffic patterns, safety, roadway conditions, noise analysis, and environmental documentation.  The final phase of the project is the design/build.



PROJECT GOALS

  1. Deliver the project within the program budget  ($246 million).
  2. Maximize reliability and safety on I-55 and U.S. 67.
  3. Provide a durable and maintainable transportation system compatible with regional development.
  4. Construct the project safely and minimize impacts to customers.
  5. Complete the project on schedule utilizing a diverse workforce.

Timeline

Complete
Conceptual Study
Summer 2021-Spring 2022
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Complete
Request for Letters of Interest for Design-Build Services
October 2022 - November 2022
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Complete
Public Information Meeting
October 5 and 6, 2022
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Complete
Industry Meeting and DBE Networking Event
December 1, 2022
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Complete
Request for Qualifications
December 1, 2022

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)  |  Forms  |  Q&A     

Addendum 1Updated February 10, 2023

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Complete
Shortlist Announcement
March 6, 2023
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Complete
Request for Proposal
March 2023
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Complete
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Networking Mixer
April 18, 2023
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Complete
Selection of Contractor Team
July 2023-KCI is selected for the I-55 Corridor Improvements Design-Build project
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Complete
Public Meeting
November 16th 4- 7 p.m.
900 VFW Dr. Festus, MO 63028

The I-55 Corridor Improvement Team discussed the project improvements with the public at Jefferson Memorial VFW. | I-55 Public Meeting CIG/Elected Officials Presentation 

 

 

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In Progress
Construction Begins
January 2024

Tree clearing from northbound Route 67 to northbound Interstate 55

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Complete
Interstate 55 Groundbreaking Ceremony
Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11 a.m.

The ceremonial groundbreaking will take place at Herculaneum Fire Department located at 151 Riverview Plaza Dr

Herculaneum, MO 63048. 

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In Progress
Project Completion
December 2026
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Why is this project needed? 

The purpose of this project is to address traffic and safety concerns along the I-55 corridor and account for future development and growth patterns in the region. Interstate 55 is one of the heaviest traveled interstates in Missouri. Over 70,000 motorists travel the interstate daily. Over 15% of the daily traffic is heavy trucks. U.S. Route 67 has a daily traffic count of 30,000 vehicles.

Our goal of the project is to eliminate peak congestion during the morning rush hour on northbound U.S. Route 67 to northbound I-55. Another example of an area we will target is the evening rush from southbound I-55 (on the northern end) to Route Z where the lanes transition from 3 lanes down to two. 

What are the major highlights of the project? 

The Missouri Department of Transportation has a three-year Design-Build project, starting in 2024, that is 12 miles long. An additional lane will be added within the 8-mile section just north of the Route Z Interchange in Pevely (where the 3-lane section currently ends) to I-55/U.S. Route 67 in Festus. 

As part of MoDOT's project, there will be changes made at three major interchanges including I-55 at Route Z, I-55 at McNutt, and the I-55/U.S. Route 67 clover-leaf interchange. Minor work will also be completed at the I-55 Route A Interchange. 

Will any bridges be addressed in this project? 

Yes! There are 27 bridges that will be addressed within this project.  14 bridges will be replaced, eight bridges will be rehabilitated. We will replace the superstructure of four bridges and build a completely new Route CC over U.S. Route 67 bridge. We will touch every bridge within the corridor. 

November 2023 Meeting

An open house style public meeting was held on November 16, 2023 at the Jefferson Memorial VFW. The project team shared the design plans, construction schedule, and a video flythrough.

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Two public meetings were held on Oct. 5 & 6, 2022.  The Oct. 5 meeting was an in-person, open house style event at the Festus Public Library and the Oct. 6 meeting was held virtually over Zoom.  In both meetings, the project team shared updates about the preliminary design of the recommended alternatives and obtained feedback from attendees.  If you were not able to attend the meetings, below are the display boards that were shared during the open house, as well as a recording of the virtual meeting.

 

Virtual public information meetings were held on Wednesday Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.  The project team presented two conceptual design alternatives and obtained feedback.  A recording of the meeting is below.  

 

Virtual public information meetings were held on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 where the project team  introduced the project, presented the corridor’s existing conditions and received motorists feedback on current problems along the corridor.   A recording of the meeting is below.

 

Who to Contact

Contact Photo
Photo of Justin Wolf
Justin Wolf, PE
Title
Project Director
Contact Info

St. Louis District

Phone:  314-624-3276

Email:  Justin.Wolf@modot.mo.gov

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Stephen O'Connor Profile Picture
Stephen O'Connor, P.E.
Title
Area Engineer
Department
St. Louis District
Contact Info

Area Engineer, Franklin & Jefferson County Area 

(314) 453-5021



Stephen.OConnor@modot.mo.gov

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