Interstate 70 in the Kansas City metro area continues to age, resulting in increased congestion, poorer pavement, and overtaxed interchanges. To address these issues, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, conducted an extensive environmental study along the corridor from 2011 through 2014. As the study finishes, MoDOT is giving the public one last chance to comment on possible I-70 improvements and would like to provide the public with an update on the study, which is called the I-70 Second Tier Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
MoDOT is preparing to finalize the draft EIS in order to move the project forward. As a result, MoDOT and FHWA intend to proceed as follows:
- Present a refined preferred alternative that was identified in the DEIS. An information packet available on MoDOT’s website at http://www.modot.org/kansascity/metroi70 includes maps for your review that illustrate the preferred alternative as presented in the DEIS along with the refinements. Also attached are a list of the refinements made to the preferred alternative and a table describing the changes in impacts of the preferred alternative as a result of the refinements.
- MoDOT and FHWA propose to combine the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) in accordance with provisions on environmental documentation in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, selecting the Preferred Alternative.
- MoDOT and FHWA will address all agency and public comments from the DEIS in the combined FEIS/ROD. A copy of the DEIS comments and MoDOT/FHWA’s responses are included in the online packet. The combining of the FEIS and ROD means that there will be no comment period on the FEIS. However, MoDOT and FHWA invite comments now based on information provided in this packet. MoDOT anticipates completing the combined FEIS/ROD by April 2017.
MoDOT and FHWA request that you provide any comments or concerns on the enclosed information and the decision to complete a combined FEIS and ROD within a 30-day comment period (ending on March 16, 2017).
The study has resulted in suggested improvements totaling $265 million and included everything from the bus-on-shoulder concept to reduce congestion to completely rebuilding the I-435 and I-70 interchange. See a complete list of preferred changes online.
Although there is currently no funding for design and construction for all the recommendations, completing this study is an important step in having the projects ready to go should funding become available.
If you wish to discuss the information contained in the online packet or have questions, please contact MoDOT Area Engineer Matt Killion at Matthew.Killion@modot.mo.gov. 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 workzone updates or call 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).