JEFFERSON COUNTY – The start of construction for the $246 million I-55 Corridor Improvements Project was celebrated today with an official groundbreaking ceremony.
The ceremony took place at the Herculaneum Fire Department at 11 a.m. with I-55 Corridor Improvements Project Director Justin Wolf moderating the event.
“Today as we celebrate beginning construction of the I-55 Design-Build Project, we want to acknowledge the many internal and external partners who have worked diligently to take this project from the start of a conceptual study in summer of 2021, through the study and planning phase, and design-build procurement, to today where we are breaking ground on this $246 million investment in Jefferson County,” said I-55 Project Director, Justin Wolf.
The Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna along with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commissioner Francis G. Slay joined state and local elected officials, and the KCI Construction team to break ground as construction begins for the I-55 corridor upgrades between Route Z and Route 67 interchanges in Jefferson County.
“This is one of the largest projects in Jefferson County, this project is a of great importance to the daily lives of everyone living, working, and commuting along the corridor. These improvements will help the 70,000 vehicles who use this stretch of the interstate daily,” said MoDOT Director, Patrick McKenna. “The MoDOT team has met with community partners, elected officials, local businesses and general citizens get input needed to complete the plans for the I-55 Corridor Improvements. This is an ongoing process and MoDOT will continue to inform and educate the public about the construction schedule and major milestones through completion of the project.”
In the upcoming weeks the public will see work begin on I-55 from US 67 to north of Central Avenue along with continuation of the earthwork taking place at the I-55/US 67 interchange.
The countless businesses, residents and local emergency operators in Herculaneum, Festus, Pevely, and Crystal City have worked diligently to help to inform their external partners and make this project possible.
“This is an exciting day in the years-long efforts to modernize I-55, one of the heaviest traveled interstates in Missouri and a critical part of our nation’s transportation system,” said U.S. Representative Jason Smith. “These upgrades will make I-55 a safer and faster route for the thousands of commuters and commercial truck drivers who travel it every single day. I’m grateful for the tireless efforts of the community leaders and local and state officials who made this project a reality. I’ll continue doing everything I can to ensure they have the support they need to get this project completed.”
I-55 Corridor Improvements include:
- Constructing new interchanges at Route Z, McNutt, and U.S. Route 67/I-55
- Adding lanes at the southbound I-55 to southbound U.S. Route 67 ramp and the northbound 67 to northbound I-55 ramp.
- Replacing 14 bridges
- Rehabilitating 12 bridges
To view the livestream of the I-55 Corridor Improvements Groundbreaking ceremony, visit MoDOT SL’s Facebook at https://fb.watch/qHdFz0EtIM/. To learn more information about the project visit. To learn more information about the project and sign up for project updates, visit the Interstate 55 Corridor Improvements Project website at www.modot.org/interstate-55-corridor-upgrades-jefferson.
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