Night owls and late commuters may need to adjust their travel plans as Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews gear up for a series of overnight lane closures on I-70. The MoDOT has announced that both eastbound and westbound lanes between Hanley Rd. and McDonnell Blvd will be subjected to closures to facilitate bridge work over the next week. According to a recent statement provided by MoDOT, the scheduled disruptions will commence this Friday with a particular focus on two westbound lanes.
Motorists preparing to navigate the area should anticipate the initial closures to take place from 10 p.m. today, until 7 a.m. tomorrow. But it doesn't end there—these two westbound lanes will again be off-limits come Saturday night at 9 p.m. straight through to 8 a.m. Sunday, March 30. This pattern of nighttime work is a common practice aimed at minimizing the impact on the day-to-day flow of traffic. Weekend warriors and those just trying to get home will want to take note, as these shutdowns are but a prelude to additional lane closures slated for the days following.
The bridge work doesn't stop for the start of the new week, either. MoDOT plans to extend their operations into the early days of April. starting next Monday, through next Wednesday, two eastbound lanes of I-70 will see closures from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. With traffic likely to bottleneck due to the narrowed pathways, alternative routes might be the most prudent option for those seeking to avoid delays. Commuters familiar with the rhythm of freeway repair will hardly be surprised by the necessary, albeit inconvenient, interruption of normalcy.
For travelers reliant on this stretch of interstate, the foresight to plan around these obstructions could be the difference between a timely arrival and a late-night frustration fest. MoDOT has advised motorists may want to consider detours and secondary roads to maintain their schedules during these construction times. The ongoing maintenance and updating of our road infrastructure is an immutable aspect of the modern commuting experience, but with a little preparation, it need not be a roadblock to one's daily travels.
