Public hearings are now set for the first construction projects that are part of the effort to expand Interstate 70 to six lanes across Missouri.
This particular phase will expand I-70 to six lanes between Columbia and Kingdom City, along with improvements to the I-70/U.S. 63 interchange in Columbia. MoDOT’s Jeff Gander is project director for this phase of the expansion.
“We are using some parts of the existing interchange for 63/70 in Columbia there, the Connector,” he told Missourinet. “We’re using some parts of it, but a lot of it (will be) a whole reconstruction. There’s going to be a lot of different traffic patterns.”
This particular interchange functions as a major crossroad along I-70, with southbound U.S. 63 going to Jefferson City and providing connections to the Lake of the Ozarks and Fort Leonard Wood. Northbound U.S. 63 is one of the major routes that connects northern Missouri and Iowa.
“The interchange is pretty complex, and that’s why we’re having people come to the public hearing where they can see what we actually have planned,” Gander said. “We will have that on boards where they can look at it and they can ask questions. Our new interchange design provides a lot more mobility options.”
Upgrades are also planned for the I-70/U.S. 54 interchange at Kingdom City.
The public hearing in Columbia is scheduled May 1st from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boone Electric Cooperative Building. The Kingdom City public hearing is set for May 2nd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at city hall.
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