Heads up, Bay Area drivers: If you're planning a trip that includes westbound I-70, be prepared for a detour. According to MoDOT, the interstate's access to and from Exit 137 will be closed for a few months starting overnight on August 22, impelling travelers to seek alternative pathways through Missouri's vein of the heartland. This maneuver is a part of a broader initiative, which includes lane reconstruction and traffic shifts, poised to ameliorate the flow and condition of this well-traveled route.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, westbound lanes of I-70 between Callaway County Route J and Route M will be shifted onto the newly constructed median lanes. Traffic will be reduced to narrower lanes with a 55 mph speed limit. From mile markers 137 to 140, drivers will not be able to change lanes. While outer roadways are available as alternate routes, they do not reconnect to Route J south of I-70, requiring westbound motorists to use other points to return to the interstate.
It is not all constriction and diversion, though, for eastbound travelers have had their traffic lanes on this segment restored to a newly paved state, with the eastbound access at Exit 137 already reopened on August 16. This reinvigoration of the roadway is a singular piece of the expansive MoDOT's Statewide Improve I-70 Program, which envisages a third lane accompanying travelers in each vector of their journey across the 20-mile stretch that ties Columbia and Kingdom City.
Missouri’s FY2024 budget includes a $2.8 billion investment to expand I-70 with additional lanes along nearly 200 miles from Blue Springs to Wentzville. The project, part of MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program, aims to enhance traffic flow for both commercial and commuter travel. During construction, motorists will encounter temporary lane restrictions and work zones. MoDOT is urging drivers to follow posted signs and exercise caution to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.
