Districts Impacted
Improve I-70 Columbia to Kingdom City
MoDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, is finishing the re-evaluation process to update the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of Interstate 70 (I-70) between U.S. 63 and U.S. 54.
As work to update the Environmental Impact Statement wraps up, Improve I-70 Columbia to Kingdom City has transitioned to a Design-Build project. Millstone Weber has been selected at the best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor of Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City. This $405 million fixed-cost contract includes $123 million previously programed for the interchanges at U.S. 63 and U.S. 54.
This project will improve the 20-mile stretch of I-70 between U.S. 63 and U.S. 54 and is one of several projects which will widen the I-70 corridor across the state. Construction could start as early as Summer 2024 with an anticipated completion date in late 2027.
Since its original construction more than 50 years ago, I-70 has been a vital lifeline for moving people, goods, and information across Missouri and beyond.
Best Value-Proposer Selection
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has selected Millstone Weber as the apparent best-value proposer and design-build contractor of the first project in MoDOT’s Improve I-70 Program. Negotiations to finalize the contract are currently in progress. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2024 with an anticipated completion in late 2027.
MoDOT plans to host additional public information meetings in central Missouri in spring 2024 ahead of construction where project plans and traffic control details for project #1 will be shared.
To learn more about the Design-Build delivery process, click here.
Project Goals
-
Deliver the project by the end of 2027 within the program budget.
-
Provide a third lane of travel for eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 from Columbia to Kingdom City.
-
Improve I-70/U.S. 63 and I-70/U.S. 54 Interchanges providing for better traffic flow and movement of freight.
-
Improve the interstate while modernizing the existing pavement and bridges
-
Minimize construction impacts through communication and construction staging while maintaining safety and mobility.
-
Provide expanded employment opportunities to a diverse workforce.
Stay Informed: Recent News
-
Improve I-70 construction begins July 8 with nightly lane closures between Columbia and Kingdom City
BOONE COUNTY – Construction on the first project within MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program (Columbia to Kingdom City) is set to begin on Monday, July 8. Crews will begin work on Interstate 70 between Callaway County Route J/Millersburg mile...
Frequently Asked Questions & Project Plans
Have a question? Need to see the plans? Use the links below for more information. Note: Due to file size, some documents may not open correctly on mobile devices. Please open the documents via a desktop computer if files are not opening correctly. You can also e-mail improvei70@modot.mo.gov for assistance.
What improvements does this project include?
Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City will add a third lane to I-70 in both directions from U.S. Route 63 in Columbia and Route 54 in Kingdom City. Additionally, this project has incorporated two previously funded MoDOT projects to also improve the I-70 interchanges at U.S. Routes 63 and 54.
When will construction begin?
Construction is anticipated to begin in approximately July 2024.
What traffic impacts can motorists expect?
Construction for this project is divided into segments as shown on the display here. The construction of the interchange at I-70 and Route 63 will begin in the summer of 2024 and will require multiple changes to traffic patterns. Construction of the I-70 and Route 54 interchange will begin in 2025 and can be constructed mostly offline to lessen the impacts to traffic. Construction on the third lane of I-70 will begin in the summer of 2024 and two lanes of traffic along I-70 will be open in both directions during peak hours . Throughout construction, MoDOT will send out news releases and update social media channels regarding upcoming traffic impacts. Motorists are encouraged to sign up for these e-mails using the webform available on this webpage.
Will there be any noise walls?
MoDOT has a formal noise wall policy it uses for every project that meets federal guidelines. The entire 20 miles for this project will be evaluated for noise walls. We expect to have the noise wall study for this project in early Fall after the design is finalized. More information about this topic will be communicated to the public at that time.
Are there any plans to add pedestrian and bicycle facilities?
Yes. While the General Revenue funding for the Improve I-70 Program is to add a third lane eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 across the state between Blue Springs and Wentzville, the Columbia to Kingdom City section of the program has incorporated two previously funded MoDOT projects to also improve the I-70 interchanges at U.S. Route 63 (Columbia) and Route 54 (Kingdom City). With these interchange improvements, there are also several bicycle and pedestrian improvements at the I-70 and Route 63 interchange being included as well. These improvements are all new connections across I-70 and U.S. 63 that do not exist today. These additions include:
- A sidewalk will be provided across the new Route 63 Connector bridge. This sidewalk will be on the west side of the bridge and will connect to the existing sidewalks at the intersection with Clark Lane on the north side of Interstate 70. After crossing Interstate 70 on the bridge, the sidewalk will continue south and connect to the existing sidewalks at the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Conley Road.
- A sidewalk will be provided across the new St. Charles Road bridge. This sidewalk will be on the west side of the bridge and will connect to the existing sidewalks on both the north and south side of Interstate 70.
- A sidewalk will be constructed along the Hannover Road Connection. This sidewalk will connect to the existing sidewalks near the intersection of Clark Lane and Hannover Road and continue south and go under Interstate 70 utilizing the new underpass. On the south side of Interstate 70, the new sidewalk will connect to the existing sidewalks at the intersection of I-70 Drive SE and Woodbridge Drive.
- Although the sidewalk will not be constructed under this project, space is being left under the new Route 63 underpass for a future sidewalk. This underpass allows traffic from the large shopping center south of the connector to go under Route 63 and flow north to the connector. Since there are no existing sidewalks to connect to East of Route 63, the sidewalk will need to be constructed at a later date.
Where can I learn more about the environmental process for this project?
This project has undergone extensive federal and state environmental reviews over the past 20 years. The project will have all if it’s necessary environmental permits and protective measures in place prior to construction starting in mid-July. The I-70 Environmental Impact Study can be found here: https://www.modot.org/improvei70Columbia
Note: Due to file size, some documents may not open correctly on mobile devices. Please open the documents via a desktop computer if files are not opening correctly. You can also e-mail improvei70@modot.mo.gov for assistance.
I-70 and U.S. Route 54 Plans & Displays
Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City Milestones
For industry access to information such as the sign in sheet and presentation from the industry meeting, please email improvei70@modot.mo.org and request access to Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City's industry Sharepoint site.
MoDOT invited the public to attend informational meetings to learn about the proposed plan and next steps for I-70. These were open house style meetings, and no formal presentations will be made. The public could attend the meetings anytime during the advertised hours, and the information will be the same at each location. MoDOT is currently in the planning stage of the Improve I-70 Program. MoDOT engineers shared preliminary information about the goals for improving I-70, possible construction schedules for the 200 miles, and next steps. Learn more here.
The pre-qualified teams are as follows:
- I-70 Constructors: Emery Sapp & Sons and Capital Paving and Construction – Joint Venture
- Parsons
- Millstone Weber.
- Lunda and Jacobs
There are still opportunities for additional consultants and subcontracting firms to be added to each team.
Millstone Weber and designer Jacobs has been selected as the best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor for Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City. This project was awarded at the February Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting.
Public hearings for Project #1 (Columbia to Kingdom City) were held in Columbia and Kingdom City where project plans, traffic control, and schedule were shared.
- Wednesday, May 1, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Boone Electric Cooperative located at 1413 Rangeline St, Columbia, MO 65201.
- Thursday, May 2, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kingdom City’s City Hall located at 5584 Dunn Dr, Kingdom City, MO 65262.
The information shared at these meetings will the same at each location is available on the project website. Comments were accepted May 1 through May 23, 2024.
What is Design-Build?
Design-build is a delivery method that includes hiring one contracting team to complete the design work and build the highway improvement under one contract. MoDOT provides the project goals, budget and schedule and the contractor team completes the work. This technique has been known to significantly save time and provide cost savings.
Need More Information?
We're here to help. For more information about Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City, please contact a member of the Improve I-70 Central Project Team.
- Jeff Gander
- Director - Improve I-70 Central Project Team
- E-mail: Jeffery.Gander@modot.mo.gov
- Nicole Samer
- Deputy Director - Improve I-70 Central Project Team
- E-mail: Nicole.Samer@modot.mo.gov
- Lairyn McGregor
- Communications Coordinator - Statewide Improve I-70 Program
- E-mail: Lairyn.McGregor@modot.mo.gov