Districts Impacted
Project Milestones
Purpose and Need / What's the Problem:
The westbound I-44 bridge over Missouri Route 43, built in 1956, is experiencing deterioration and is in frequent need of maintenance. The bridge carries approximately 23,000 vehicles per day, 30 percent of which are trucks.
Project Information:
- Rehabilitate westbound I-44 bridge over Missouri Route 43 at Exit 6 in Joplin
- Project includes replacing bridge deck/driving surface and various repairs to bridge structure
Traffic Impacts:
- Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction between 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Two lanes of traffic OPEN in each direction during daytime hours
- Both ramps to I-44 CLOSED for the duration of the project
News Releases
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TRAFFIC ALERT: WB I-44 Reduced to One Lane at Route 86/43 (Exit 6) for Bridge Work at Night May 30
Where: Westbound I-44 over Missouri Route 86/43 (Exit 6) in Joplin
When: 9 p.m., Friday, May 30 through noon, Sunday, June 1
What: Contractor crews pouring concrete for new westbound bridge deck/driving surface. This work is part of a project to...
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TRAFFIC ALERT: EB I-44 Lanes CLOSED at Route 86/43 (Exit 6) for Guardrail Repair at Night May 5
Where: Eastbound I-44 over Missouri Route 86/43 (Exit 6) in Joplin
When: 8 p.m., Monday, May 5 through 6 a.m., Tuesday, May 6
What: Contractor crews making repairs to guardrail
Traffic Impacts:
- All eastbound I-44 lanes CLOSED over Missouri Route 86...
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Work Resumes on WB I-44/Route 86 Bridge Rehabilitation in Newton Co., Week of March 23
Newton County – Work to rehabilitate the westbound I-44/Missouri Route 86 bridge (Exit 6) in Joplin resumes the week of March 23, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Contractor crews will resume work removing the bridge deck/driving...
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TRAFFIC ALERT: All Westbound I-44 Lanes Near Exit 6 OPEN, Bridge Rehab Suspended Until Spring 2025
Where: I-44 at Exit 6 (Missouri Route 43/86) in Joplin
When: As of Monday, December 9
What: Both westbound I-44 lanes OPEN at Route 43/86 (Hearnes Boulevard/Main Street) at Exit 6 until work to finish rehabilitation of bridge resumes in Spring 2025...
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TRAFFIC ALERT: New Traffic Pattern for Route 43/86 in Newton Co. Under I-44 Beginning Oct. 20
Where: Missouri Route 43/86 (Hearnes Boulevard/Main Street) under I-44 in Joplin
When: Beginning Sunday, October 20 through Friday, October 25
What: Contractor crews will CLOSE one lane of Route 43/86 (Hearnes Boulevard/Main Street) in both...
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TRAFFIC ALERT: New Traffic Pattern for I-44 in Newton Co. Near Exit 6 Beginning Week of Oct. 7
Where: I-44 at Exit 6 (Missouri Route 43/86) in Joplin
When: Beginning week of October 7 for the duration of the project
What: Contractor crews will close I-44 on ramps at Route 43/86 (Exit 6) in preparation to shift traffic head-to-head in the...
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TRAFFIC ALERT: Westbound I-44 Traffic Shifted to Eastbound Lanes Near Exit 6 Starting Week of Oct. 6
Where: Westbound I-44 at Exit 6 (Missouri Route 43/86) in Joplin
When: Beginning Sunday, October 6 for the duration of the project
What: Contractor crews will shift traffic head-to-head in the eastbound lanes of I-44 as part of a project to...
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Westbound I-44/Route 86 Bridge CLOSED for Rehab Project Beginning Week of Aug. 26
Joplin – Drivers should expect lane shifts and traffic delays when a project to rehabilitate the westbound I-44/Missouri Route 86 bridge (Exit 6) in Joplin begins the week of August 26, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
Contractor crews...
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will there be a signed detour during the project?
No, however both ramps to I-44 will be CLOSED for the duration of the project. Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes.
How long will it take to complete the project?
The current plans call for the project to begin in the spring of 2024 with completion by winter of 2024.
What is the cost to complete the project?
The estimated cost for this project is $3.1 million.
How can I comment or ask additional questions about this project?
You may call the MoDOT Southwest District Office between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday at (417) 895-7600. If you prefer, you may also send an e-mail to swcr@modot.mo.gov.