Motorists in Springfield, prepare for a change in your commute starting the evening of Sunday, March 23, as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) shifts eastbound traffic on Interstate 44. According to the official MoDOT announcement, the shift is part of the expansive Forward 44: Interstate 44 Corridor Upgrades in Greene County project, aiming to improve the flow and safety of this crucial highway.
The realignment involves moving eastbound I-44 traffic to the south side between U.S. Route 65 and Glenstone Avenue – drivers should expect to use the right driving lane and the I-44 south shoulder during this interim phase, while still having access to two 12-foot lanes, and although the Glenstone Avenue on-ramp to eastbound I-44 will be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, westbound I-44 remains open, giving a bit of good news to those traveling in the opposite direction. No detours are signed but folks are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid potential delays due to the redirection of flow and construction work, which is, of course, subject to weather and the notorious fickle dance of construction schedules.
Motorists can anticipate closures and traffic shifts, with the most immediate starting 8 p.m. on Sunday, when crews begin their median work—MoDOT has placed signs and message boards to inform commuters of any speed reductions or other significant updates in the I-44 corridor. Those looking for real-time traffic information can turn to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, which should provide updates on road closures and traffic impacts.
Streamlining I-44 involves a host of projects including widening the interstate to six lanes between Missouri Route 13 and U.S. Route 65, replacing several overpass bridges such as the Broadway Avenue Bridge and the National Avenue Bridge which carry I-44 over city streets, and building a pedestrian underpass with trail improvements which is important for those who travel on foot or by bike, not to mention the resurfacing of sections of the interstate and constructing a sound wall to mitigate the auditory intrusion of the bustling highway traffic. Funded to the tune of $70.7 million, including state-provided General Revenue funds, this work marks a significant investment in the region's infrastructure.
