What is the project timeline?

Construction began in July 2024. Completion of this project is anticipated to by the end of 2027.

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. 

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.

I drove through the I-70 work zone and noticed the new lanes being built are much higher than the existing ones. Why is that?

While this is a little bit of an optical illusion in some places, in some areas, one set of lanes will be higher than the other.  Overall, the new lanes will be higher than the existing lanes.  The new shoulder will be steeper than the existing shoulder in a lot of places.  This serves two purposes.  The first is to minimize the amount of grading necessary to tie into the existing inslope.  The second is that a steeper shoulder helps the water leave the pavement quicker. 

Crews are currently paving the new inside lanes. Once work begins on the existing I-70 lanes the process will be as follows:

1. Mill off the existing asphalt.
2. Rubblize the existing concrete in place which is approximately 8 inches.
3. Add enough rock base to create a total of 12” rock base.
4. Pave 11” of new concrete over this base.
5. Pave the new 12’ outside shoulder.

Where can I find the project plans and displays?

The plans and displays for this project can be found on the Plans and Displays 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:

• Sidewalks will be provided across both sides of the new U.S Route 63 Connector bridge from Clark Lane to Conley Rd.
•  Sidewalks will be provided across the new St. Charles Road bridge. This sidewalk will connect to the existing sidewalks.
• 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. 

The Columbia to Kingdom City project plans conflict with plans for the Rocheport to Columbia project. Which plan is correct and how will this be coordinated?

The Columbia to Kingdom City project plans originally included a roundabout for the westbound I-70 connection to the U.S. Route 63 connector and Clark Lane. The plans for the Rocheport to Columbia project include direct connections between Westbound I-70 and US 63 in the approximate location of the roundabout for the Columbia to Kingdom City project. MoDOT is aware of this discrepancy and is working with the contractors of both projects on solutions that work for both teams in terms of construction, schedule, and cost. This coordination is ongoing and more information and updated design plans will be available soon. The latest plans of the new direct connections can be found on the Plans and Displays portion of the Rocheport to Columbia Project website. These plans reflect the final configuration of the U.S. Route 63 and I-70 interchange. 
 

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/improvei70/completed-studies.