San Francisco has its fair share of infrastructure projects, and it seems we're not alone. Over in Missouri, drivers who frequent Route 61 in Wentzville can expect to see some changes soon. According to an announcement by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), construction work is scheduled to start next Thursday to add a new auxiliary lane near the Interstate 70/Interstate 64 interchange, as part of the Improve I-70 Warrenton to Wentzville Project. This project, aiming to ease congestion, will lead to nightly closures of the right lane of both northbound and southbound Route 61, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., stretching from Pitman Avenue to Route A.
The right shoulder will also be closed at all times, permitting construction of the auxiliary lane expected to be completed by September 2025. MoDOT detailed that, weather permitting, crews will also be working on grading at the I-70/I-64 interchange during similar hours. With any project of this nature, traffic delays are inevitable, patience is a virtue for motorists during the construction period.
But this isn’t a standalone effort. The construction is part of a grander vision to enhance I-70 across the state. According to MoDOT's press release, the Improve I-70 Warrenton to Wentzville Project spans the eastern portion of I-70 and was awarded in November 2024, with tentative construction dates set from 2025-2028. It's a slice of a much larger pie: Missouri's General Assembly and Governor Parson cemented in the FY2024 budget a hefty $2.8 billion from General Revenue dedicated to the cause, specifically for adding a third lane to I-70, expanding nearly 200 miles from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
Long-term plans lay out the anticipation for planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, and adding a third lane in both directions over this expanse of highway.
-5.webp?w=160&h=400&fit=crop&crop=edges)
