JACKSON COUNTY– Over the weekend of Sept. 6, MoDOT Kansas City closed both directions of I-70 between I-435 and I-470/Route 291 for the demolition of two major ramps within the I-435 and I-70 interchange. These ramps (the northbound I-435 ramp to westbound I-70 and the southbound I-435 ramp to eastbound I-70) have been removed and will be re-built in a new configuration scheduled to be complete in spring 2020. Crews were able to open the interstate entirely by 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, several hours earlier than anticipated.
In addition to the demolition work, maintenance crews were also on site completing a variety of much needed maintenance work along I-70. Without having to factor in the normal traffic control, crews were able to successfully complete over a year’s worth of work over the course of just one weekend! This work includes:
- The milling out of bumps along two ramps.
- Replacement of expansion joints.
- Replacement of 19 barrier walls.
- Hauling 16 truckloads of rock totaling 150 tons.
- The sweeping of I-70 between Blue Ridge Cutoff and Route 291/I-470.
- Replacement of barrier reflectors along I-70 between I-435 and U.S. 40 Highway.
- Utilizing the boom mower to cut behind guard rails and signs along eastbound I-70 between Route 291/I-470 and Blue Ridge Cutoff.
- Brush cutting between Route 291/I-470 and I-435 along both directions of I-70.
- Mowing work along I-70 from Oak Grove to Grain Valley.
- The pouring of three concrete barrier walls.
- Ditch repairs and replacements.
- Lighting repairs along I-70 between Route 291/I-470 and Blue Ridge Cutoff.
This closure was all part of a new interchange design being built at I-435 and I-70. The new design will be a partial turbine configuration. Improvements include full bridge replacements, removal of left exits, improvements to loop ramp configuration, and congestion relief. This project will have significant impacts on traffic for two full construction seasons and is scheduled to be complete by Dec. 2020. For more information about this project, visit our website. Please be patient and considerate to your fellow motorists. Use the zipper merge and take turns at merge points. Please remember that all work zones are NO PHONE ZONES. Buckle up. Phone down. Arrive Alive.
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).