BOONE COUNTY – The Missouri Department of Transportation is hosting two public hearings regarding the Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia project from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 2, and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, in Columbia. This is the fourth construction project in MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program and will add a third lane of travel in each direction to Interstate 70 from Rocheport to Columbia.
These meetings will highlight the basic design plans, construction phasing, schedule, and other detailed information about the project. Construction is expected to start in spring/summer 2026 and be completed by late 2029.
The open-house-style hearings will provide the opportunity for nearby residents, businesses, and travelers to learn about and provide comments regarding the planned improvements. No formal presentation will be made. The public can attend the hearings any time between the advertised hours. The information will be the same at each location. Engineers from MoDOT and the Design-Build contractor team, The ESS Team, will be present to answer questions.
MoDOT anticipates releasing plans and renderings for the project to its project website (noted below) ahead of the in-person hearings. Written and recorded oral statements and exhibits can be submitted at the in-person hearing. People can also provide comments and or ask questions online via the project website beginning on Monday, Feb. 23, at www.modot.org/projects/improvei70/rocheportcolumbia. All comments must be received by Wednesday, March 25.
The hearing details and locations are:
- Monday, March 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Boone Electric Cooperative located at 1413 Rangeline St., Columbia, MO 65201.
- Wednesday, March 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Midway Golf and Games located at 5500 W. Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, MO 65203.
The planned improvements from contractor team include:
- A third lane in each direction to I-70 between the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport and approximately U.S. Route 63 in Columbia, with all new 11” full-depth concrete pavement.
- Improvements to the I-70 interchanges/intersections at Route J/O, Midway (U.S. Route 40), Stadium Blvd., Business Loop 70, Providence Rd., Rangeline St., and U.S. Route 63.
- 14 new bridge structures.
- New north and south outer road connections across Perche Creek.
- The team has committed to keeping two lanes of travel in each direction during peak travel times.
Missouri’s FY2024 budget from the General Assembly signed into law by the governor provides $2.8 billion in General Revenue for the costs to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
People with disabilities who require special services or other reasonable accommodations at the public hearing should notify Project Communications Coordinator Lairyn McGregor at 816-607-2152 by Monday, Feb. 23, so arrangements for those services can be made.
For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates.
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