LEE’S SUMMIT – The Kansas City District of the Missouri Department of Transportation released the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) and record of decision (ROD) on I-70 corridor project today for part two of a study that began in 2009.
I-70 is a critical regional and state corridor originally constructed more than 50 years ago. Deteriorating pavement and bridges, traffic delays and congestion, and merging and weaving at interchanges require almost daily maintenance. The department conducted a two-part study that focused on possible safety and condition improvements. The first tier of the study resulted in suggested improvements totaling $265 million.
The I-70 Second Tier Combined Final EIS and ROD document has been submitted for publication in the Federal Register on Jan. 19 bringing the study to a close. The selected alternative to improve the urban stretch of I-70 includes closing and consolidating some interchanges to reduce merging and weaving, altering the geometrics of some of the highly used interchanges such as I-435 and I-70 and rehabilitating and improving the pavement to accommodate bus-on-shoulder in the future. All improvements are subject to further study and funding.
The final study document is now available at www.modot.org/kansascity/metroi70
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