LEE’S SUMMIT– The Missouri Department of Transportation will have various lane closures and some traffic shifts along westbound and eastbound Interstate 470 at the James A. Reed bridge beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 17, until approximately 8 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 18. These lane closures and shifts in traffic are for rehabilitation work along the James A. Reed Bridge over I-470. All work is weather permitting.
- Beginning at approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 17, both westbound and eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and shifted over to the outside lane of I-470 while striping work is completed.
- Once striping is completed, traffic will be opened up to two lanes in both directions by 8 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 17.
- Beginning at approximately 8 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 18, both westbound and eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and shifted to the inside lanes of I-470 for barrier work.
- Once barrier is installed, traffic will return to two lanes in each direction for the remainder of the bridge work.
In congested, slow moving traffic, the open lane fills quickly. Motorists are forced to slow in the closed lane and may become anxious to merge. Research shows traffic moves more smoothly when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate merging every other vehicle in “zipper” fashion into the open lane. We remind drivers to Wait to Merge. Take turns. Merge Like a Zipper.
This work is part of the extensive I-470 bridge rehabilitation project ranging from the Three Trails Crossing to I-70. This project will SIGNIFICANTLY impact traffic along I-470 until November 2018. All work is weather permitting.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.
For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter, or share posts and comments on our Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOT.KansasCity. MoDOT Kansas City maintains more than 7,000 miles of state roadway in nine counties. Sign up online for work zone updates or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).