Districts Impacted
Project Summary
MoDOT is planning long-term improvements at the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange and the U.S. 50/Route AT intersection. The project aims to increase safety and reliability while improving roadway conditions. In 2025, MoDOT asked the community to share their thoughts on project needs. Later that year, MoDOT also asked for feedback on the draft goals that were created based on those community-centered project needs. The final project goals were shaped by both engineering data and community input and will guide all future decisions in this design-build project.
What are the goals for the project?
Goal #1
Improve safety and reliability within the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange, U.S. 50/ Route AT intersection, and throughout the entire project limits, all within the program budget.
Goal #2
Provide a long-lasting and expandable transportation system that minimizes maintenance and future traffic impacts.
Goal #3
Construct the project safely while minimizing impacts to the public.
Goal #4
Deliver the project by 2030.
What are the project's needs?
MoDOT is seeking contractor proposals that offer design and construction solutions meeting—or exceeding—our project goals: enhancing safety, easing congestion, improving reliability, and restoring pavement conditions.
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The current interchange experiences a high number of crashes, which are more likely to happen at conflict points, where roads meet, or vehicles merge. A new roadway design could reduce the number and severity of conflicts, improving overall safety.
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The current pavement no longer meets the freight corridor’s heavy traffic demands, due to potholes and debris. This means frequent maintenance is needed. Any proposed design would include full pavement replacement, creating smoother, safer travel.
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With less crashes and work zones due to maintenance, trips along the corridor would become more reliable. That means travel takes about the same time, every time, even during peak hours.
Forward 44/US Route 50 Project Milestones
MoDOT conducted stakeholder meetings and a public survey to confirm existing needs and identify additional concerns and priorities for the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange.
The project vision and goals for potential improvements were drafted based on stakeholder and public input to help guide future considerations.
MoDOT held a public meeting to present project goals, information about the project delivery method as well as next steps for implementing potential interchange improvements and gather feedback.
Click here for more information: www.modot.org/public-meeting-materials
MoDOT continues to analyze traffic and safety conditions, soil and rock composition, utilities, and environmental factors such as archeological resources - work that can take months to complete.
MoDOT continues public engagement through quarterly newsletter updates.
MoDOT will launch a survey to share possible designs and gather community feedback that might be considered by the selected design-build contractor. Feedback will help guide MoDOT and the contractor team in selecting a design that best meets the project goals.
MoDOT will invite contractor teams to participate in the procurement process, and public survey comments will be shared with potential design-build teams.
*The design-build process includes:
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Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
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Contractors submit information about their experience, skills, and past design-build projects. The RFQ, planned for November 2026, helps MoDOT identify the most qualified teams.
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Request for Proposals (RFP)
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Short-listed teams develop and submit detailed proposals, including design ideas, schedules, costs, and construction approaches based on study area data MoDOT shares. The RFP, planned for January 2027, helps MoDOT select a team with the design and construction plan that best meets or exceeds our project goals.
MoDOT will review proposals and select a design-build team based on quality and ability to meet or exceed project goals. The selected design-build team will begin the design phase. The selected designbuild team will begin designing the project. MoDOT expects to award the contract in April 2027.
MoDOT will hold a public meeting to share the final design with the community before construction begins later that year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is MoDOT planning improvements to the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange and U.S. 50/Route AT intersection?
I-44 is a key connection that’s vital for Missouri’s traveling public. It is also a crucial route for freight transportation across the country. Many portions of I-44, especially at the U.S. 50 interchange, have outdated design standards based on their construction more than 50 years ago.
MoDOT is committed to improving safety by reducing crashes. At the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange, 188 crashes occurred between 2020 and 2024. At the U.S. 50/Route AT intersection, 59 crashes occurred during the same period. Both rates are higher than the statewide average for similar locations.
Along this section of I-44, heavy traffic from cars and large trucks can result in potholes and debris, making the road uneven for drivers and requiring frequent repairs. The interstate’s pavement foundation dates back to the 1950s and no longer provides the structural strength that it once provided. Due to those potholes and uneven surfaces, frequent maintenance is required at this interchange, with more than 100 work zones logged annually.
Around 80 incidents occur annually in the project area, including both work zones and crashes. These often cause long delays, averaging around three hours, making travel times unpredictable.
Who will benefit from this project?
This project aims to enhance safety and reliability while improving roadway conditions for all system users, including the traveling public, freight carriers, MoDOT maintenance crews, emergency responders, and roadside assistance vehicles.
How will MoDOT build this project?
Improvements to the I-44/U.S. 50 interchange and the U.S. 50/Route AT intersection will be combined into one single design-build project.
What is design-build construction?
MoDOT's contractor will perform both design and construction. On this type of project, designs are completed in phases. This allows the contractor to start building parts of the project early while finishing the design for later phases at the same time.
What are the benefits of design-build construction?
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Contractors can share ideas based on their experience to improve safety and reliability while making the best use of project funding.
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Since no final design has been chosen, contractors can suggest solutions to fix the immediate pavement and safety needs now while also allowing for future expansion and other improvements.
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The design-build process can shorten project timelines by allowing design and construction to happen at the same time.
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Contractors can look at cost-saving options that could help MoDOT address unfunded needs within the available budget, like replacing the Bourbeuse River and Route O bridges as well as rebuilding and widening I-44 to the Washington exit.
How will my input help shape the project?
This summer, MoDOT will launch a survey to gather feedback on potential designs that might be considered by the selected design-build contractor. Feedback gathered will help guide MoDOT and the contractor team with selecting a design that meets or exceeds the project goals
What is the timeline for this project?
MoDOT will launch a survey in summer 2026 to gather community feedback on potential design concepts that may be considered by the selected design‑build contractor. In fall 2026, MoDOT will begin the search for a design‑build contractor. The contractor will be selected, and design work will begin in 2027.
Capacity and Reliability: I-44 at the U.S. 50 interchange has only two lanes in each direction, with expected demand likely to exceed the current roadway capacity.
Pavement Conditions: There is a need to maintain and preserve the I-44 facility to accommodate both existing and future traffic.
Safety: Safety is a fundamental goal of all transportation projects in Missouri.
There is a need to preserve the I-44 facility to accommodate existing and future traffic.
Resiliency: During periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, eastbound I-44 can lose direct connectivity to westbound U.S. 50, disrupting normal traffic.
Infrastructure Resiliency: During periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, eastbound I-44 may lose direct connectivity to westbound U.S. 50, disrupting normal traffic flow.
Roadway Design: The I-44/U.S. 50 interchange was designed and built long before current design standards.
Press Releases
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MoDOT to host public meeting on Forward 44: Interstate 44/U.S. Route 50 Interchange Project on Nov. 6
FRANKLIN COUNTY – The Missouri Department of Transportation will host an open house-style public meeting on Interstate 44/Route 50 Interchange Improvements Project from 4-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, at the Union Community Center.
The center is...
Project Contacts
Stacey Smith, P.E.
Title
Project Director for Procurement and Design
Department
St. Louis District
Contact Info
314-453-5084
Anastasia.Smith@modot.mo.gov
314-453-5084
Anastasia.Smith@modot.mo.gov
Jordan Dalaviras
Title
Area Liaison -- Franklin and Jefferson Counties
Department
St. Louis District
Contact Info
Phone: 314-453-5021
Email: jordan.dalaviras@modot.mo.gov
Phone: 314-453-5021
Email: jordan.dalaviras@modot.mo.gov