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Interstate 44 is a vital east-west link across Missouri and to the nation. The corridor was completed in 1966, and in the decades since, has established itself as a route of statewide and national importance and a key freight corridor. Since the highway was built more than 50 years ago, evolving engineering standards and safety components mean many portions of I-44 have outdated design standards. The Missouri Department of Transportation is committed to bringing improvements to the corridor. That effort, called Forward 44, is ongoing in different stages across the state.

Studies

Forward 44

Missouri’s FY2024 budget from the General Assembly signed into law by Gov. Parson provided $20 million of General Revenue for an environmental study more than 250 miles of the I-44 corridor from the Oklahoma state line to the Franklin County/St Louis County line. This study is a critical step to preparing for future projects on I-44.

I-44 Planning for Progress

The study will also prioritize areas into short-term and long-term needs for future potential improvements, but will not make recommendations on what those future improvements will be. This study will not propose solutions rather, at the conclusion of the study, an analysis will be performed on the information gathered to create a Purpose and Need Statement. The Purpose and Need Statement will be written to summarize the findings and identify deficiencies in transportation, commerce, recreational access, tourism, agriculture and similar uses associated with the I-44 corridor.