HANNIBAL – Construction will begin on a new Interstate 70 interchange on the west side of Warrenton on Monday, September 25. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently awarded the contract to Emery Sapp & Sons for a bid of $8,551,941.42. The new interchange is being fully funded with a sales tax passed by residents in the city of Warrenton.
Starting Monday, the contractor will close the south outer road west of the Route MM connection to build up the ground for the ramps. This road is expected to remain closed until the end of June 2018.
There will be three roundabouts built as part of the project; two will be at either end of the overpass to connect the outer roads and the other will connect a relocated Route MM.
“We will keep area residents and drivers updated on how work is progressing through our website, social media and meetings with the city and other organizations in the area,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Erik Maninga. Information about the project was being housed on the City of Warrenton website and is transitioning to MoDOT’s Northeast District site; it should be ready within a week and available at this link.
Maninga said it will take about 18 months to complete the project, and once it is done, the interchange will be owned and maintained by MoDOT. “In exchange for adding to Missouri’s transportation system, the City has agreed to assume responsibility of ownership and maintenance of Route MM to Main Street and the south outer road from Denny’s to the new interchange,” he added.
Those interested can receive updates through email on this project, go to www.modot.org and click on the Travelers tab to subscribe to the e-update service.