ST. JOSEPH, Mo - The St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization, St. Joseph’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), recently asked the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to study a new alternative for the Interstate 229 Environmental Assessment (EA). The I-229 EA team has started looking at the feasibility of the new alternative.
The new alternative proposes removing a portion of I-229, roughly between U.S. Route 36 and McArthur Drive, and replacing it with a new four-lane boulevard that would run generally parallel to the BNSF railroad tracks, east of the existing I-229 configuration. The alternative would include a new elevated structure between the current Edmond Street ramp and I-229 north of U.S. Route 59 (St. Joseph Avenue). The new structure would connect I-229 with downtown St. Joseph via a signalized intersection at Charles and Edmond streets and ramps at St. Joseph Avenue.
“The I-229 EA consultant has already begun conducting additional work to determine what the potential impacts associated with this alternative might be. They will analyze it using the same methods used on the 20 initial alternatives identified early in the study process, which includes the current four reasonable build alternatives, as well as the rehabilitation and no-build options,” said MoDOT’s I-229 EA Project Manager Shannon Kusilek. “At the end of the day, we all want an alternative that serves our state transportation needs and is also good for our community. We welcome this opportunity to work more closely with our partners at the city and MPO in order to arrive at the best solution for all.”
Over the next few months, the EA team will present this new alternative to several stakeholder groups and the public, alongside the other previously identified reasonable alternatives. Once additional analysis has occurred and input from the public is received, the team will make a preliminary recommendation for a preferred alternative. There will be a final opportunity for the public and stakeholders to provide input on the recommended preferred alternative before a final decision is rendered by the Federal Highway Administration
Interested persons may review the alternatives in more detail and share their thoughts by visiting stjoe229.com, via email at contact@stjoe229.com, or by phone at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
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