HANNIBAL – Just in time for winter, the new climbing lanes on Interstate 70 in Montgomery County at Mineola Hill are completed and open to traffic. A third lane has been added to both east and westbound I-70 near mile marker 170 at Danville, providing especially commercial vehicles a chance to get out of higher speed traffic while going up the steep grade hill. “One of the primary purposes of this project is to enable traffic to flow more safely and efficiently,” explained Missouri Department of Transportation Project Director Brandi Baldwin.
The project was made possible by a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant in combination with the replacement of the I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport in Boone and Cooper Counties. Also included in the project is replacement of the overflow bridges over the Loutre River on I-70. Construction on the new eastbound bridge will continue this winter, weather permitting, and is expected to be completed by next fall.
Baldwin said the overall project has gone smoothly thus far, and the weather has cooperated. “The ESS team has done astounding work this year by completing the project thus far ahead of schedule. They have done a remarkable job delivering on their commitments to the project goals and we look forward to successfully completing this project with them next year,” Baldwin noted.
“The ESS Team is proud to announce that through the collaborative efforts and dedication of our designers, subcontractors, MoDOT, and Emery Sapp employee owners, we will be opening the climbing lanes at Mineola Hill well ahead of the anticipated schedule. We hope the traveling public will benefit from these much-needed improvements through the busy holiday travel season,“ said Project Manager for Emery Sapp & Sons Matt Oesch.
The budget is $15.8 million dollars which includes preliminary engineering, construction engineering, stipends and the $14.4 million dollar design-build contract. The ESS Team, comprised of Emery Sapp & Sons, is the prime contractor and Bartlett & West are providing the design services.
Information about the project can be found here.