MoDOT holds final public information meeting about Statewide Improve I-70 Program

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Public Transportation is set to hold a preliminary information meeting on Thursday to get the public's input on Interstate 70 and to learn more about the Improve I-70 Project's future plans.

The public meeting will be open-house style, held from 5-7 p.m. at the Hannah Cole Primary School gym on 1700 W. Ashley Road in Boonville.

The $2.8 billion project program will add an additional third lane going in each direction of the interstate stretching from Blue Springs to Wentzville, while also improving existing roads.

Funds for the part of Interstate 70 that runs through Columbia includes $185 million aimed at improving the Highway 63 exit and fixing pavement issues. Another $410 million would go toward creating new bridges, replacing pavement and adding a new lane in each direction. Those lanes would be about 13 miles long.

The project is currently in its planning phase and public input is important to consider before the designing phase.

MoDOT will discuss the proposal and next steps of the project with the public. Engineers will also share the goal of the project and the next steps needed to get the project started.

Residents can also give comments online until Friday, Sept. 22.

In May, Gov. Mike Parson signed into law allowing funding into the project as part of its 2024 fiscal year budget from the General Assembly.