COLUMBIA – The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) invites the public to provide a second round of feedback on a study of a large section of Interstate 70 in Boone County, including potential alternatives at the I-70/U.S. Route 63 Connector.
The study, a re-evaluation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) completed in the mid-2000s, is designed to identify ways to improve the interstate as it crosses through Boone County.
The section of I-70 under review is an 18-mile stretch from just east of Route BB (Exit 115) to just east of Route Z (Exit 133) in Boone County. The re-evaluation is necessary to identify changes to existing conditions, possible solutions, potential impacts, and related mitigation measures.
In July, MoDOT released study information and potential alternatives for several interchanges along the corridor. Those potential alternatives have now been narrowed down by MoDOT to a preferred alternative design.
“We appreciate all the feedback we received from travelers and local residents in July,” says MoDOT District Engineer Machelle Watkins. “We used that feedback and the other data that has been collected so far as a part of this study to narrow down our options to this preferred alternative. We also want to use this comment period to share more with the public about what portions of the study currently have funding in the STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan) and what the timeline will be moving forward at the Connector and across this 18-mile portion of I-70.”
The I-70/Route 63 Connector and pavement improvements from the Connector to Missouri Route 740 (Stadium Blvd.) are the only aspect of the project that has been added to MoDOT’s 2023-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which was approved by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in July. That project will be completed as a design-build project and has an estimated cost of approximately $194 million, which includes engineering, utility relocations, right of way, environmental mitigation, and construction contract costs.
Watkins says funding is currently not available for any other elements detailed in the study, but including them creates more opportunity to add those projects to the STIP should funding become available because the EIS re-evaluation will already be complete.
Motorists and nearby residents and business will be able to access the updated information and provide comments virtually or in person. An online public comment period will be available from Wednesday, November 2 through Friday, November 18. Study information, potential alternatives and an online comment form will be available at www.modot.org/improvei70Columbia.
An in-person, open house-style public meeting will also be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Columbia Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), located at 1701 W Ash St, Columbia, MO. No formal presentations will be made during the meeting, but attendees will have the opportunity to stop by at any time during the meeting to view project materials and the preferred alternatives, as well as speak with the I-70 study team. Comment forms will be available for those wanting to provide feedback.
This meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Masks are optional. To request other special accommodations and/ or study information, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT or email adam.pulley@modot.mo.gov.
To learn more about the study and for future updates, visit www.modot.org/improvei70Columbia.
For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters in Mid-Missouri, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.
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