MoDOT continues Improve I-70; work includes proposed Business Loop 70 roundabout

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Construction crews are 11 months into a multi-year project to expand Interstate 70 across the state.

One-of-the-eight project segments spans from Columbia to Kingdom City. A roundabout that enhances access from Business Loop 70 to I-70 and a new collector-distributor road is part of the Missouri Department of Transportation's $405 million Improve I-70 Project.

The project includes an exit ramp from Interstate 70 eastbound to Business Loop 70 along with a new collector-distributor road, allowing drivers to merge onto I-70 when going west on Business Loop 70.

Improve I-70 Program Director Eric Kopinski says, "for eastbound we are adding a new entrance ramp and exit ramp for eastbound 70 to business loop, this will allow for easier excess on and off the interstate."

The overall goal of the project is to make the area safer.

"Many years ago it worked really well but as we have seen an increase in traffic, increase in speed and increase across the area, it was a really sticky situation," Kopinski said. "We kinda are going around a curb and up a hill and there was just a number of severe crashes that have taken place there."

While the project is in the early stages and weather has impacted work, Kopinski says when work ramps up once warmer weather arrives drivers should expect some changes.

"Here soon we will have down to one late overnight when we have less traffic utilizing that and that will allow crews more safe excess in the work area," Kopinski said.

MoDOT permanently closed the fly over bridge that allowed drivers to access Business Loop 70 from westbound I-70. Those who need to get to Business Loop 70 from I-70 can use the Range Line Street exit.

This portion of the project will be completed sometime in 2026, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. The project is part of several projects underway for the 20-mile stretch of I-70 between Highway 63 in Columbia and Highway 54 in Kingdom City.

MoDOT began work in the summer after $2.8 billion was approved by Missouri lawmakers to expand I-70 to six lanes from Blue Springs to Wentzville with an additional lane in the westbound and eastbound directions.

A new underpass at Highway 63 and Conley Road is also in the works. The underpass will allow drivers to connect to Highway 63 from Conley Road. The underpass will be on both northbound and southbound Highway 63.

MoDOT says the Improve I-70 Columbia to Kingdom City section will be completed in late 2027.