HANNIBAL – After the I-70 Warrenton interchange project had a shut-down due for the holidays and extremely cold weather, the contractor resumed operations last Monday. However, the rapid thawing brought about by this week’s warm weather caused them to once again suspend operations, this time due to muddy conditions. MoDOT Resident Engineer, Richard Domzalski, P.E., said “Rapidly changing weather conditions are now making it difficult to determine precisely when work will resume, but the contractor is anxious to get back to work.”
The eastbound and westbound lanes of I-70 will remain reduced to a width of ten feet, the south outer road west of the Route MM connection will remain closed until June 2018, and some sewer work will be continuing.
Other work occurring on the project this winter involves adding retaining walls, and beginning overpass construction in the interstate median. Later this month, after adjusting existing cable television lines, “The relocation of the cable lines will complete the utility relocations on the south side of I-70.” Domzalski explained.
The contractor, Emery Sapp & Sons, has also been working with the project’s abutting owners to provide significant grading outside of the project limits. “Not all construction near the project site is strictly part of the project, or funded by the city of Warrenton,” Domzalski said. “There is a coordinating effort taking place between private owners, their consultants, and public agencies to plan for the future during the current construction,” he added.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has partnered with the city of Warrenton to provide new signage informing the public of the current and upcoming construction work at the interchange. (photo attached)
Construction on the project began in late September and is expected to take 18 months to be completed. Emery Sapp & Sons was awarded the contract for $8,551,941.42, and the project was fully funded by the city of Warrenton. MoDOT will own and maintain the new interchange once construction is finished. The project will not only include a new interchange, but also three roundabouts, with two on the either end of the overpass to connect the outer roads and the other one connecting Route MM.
To stay updated on the progress of this project, sign up for email and text alerts at https://www6.modot.mo.gov/eMoDOTWeb/jsp/signon/signon.jsp. For more information contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636).You can also visit us online at www.modot.org/northeast or the specific I-70 Interchange in Warrenton page at www.modot.org/northeast/major_projects/WarrentonInterchange.htm