For those planning night travel through the interstate network near Warrenton and Wentzville, take note: the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced a major closure on Interstate 70. The looming shutdown will affect both eastbound and westbound lanes at the bustling I-70/I-64/U.S. 61 interchange. The stoppage commences overnight on October 14 and stretches into the early hours of October 15. The reason for this disruption: construction crews need to set bridge girders, big cranes will be in operation, and materials will be swinging high over the roadway. MoDOT wants the public to understand, all of this could change with the weather.
Specifically, on Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., all westbound lanes of I-70 will be sealed off. Those who usually travel westbound on I-70 will see lanes reduced to one and will follow a detour via northbound Route 61 at exit 210B, making a turn at Pittman Avenue to rejoin westbound I-70. Similarly, drivers seeking to go from westbound I-70 to eastbound I-64, will use the same Route 61 detour, circle around at Pitman Avenue, and make their way to the eastbound I-64 ramp from Luetkenhaus Boulevard, according to MoDOT's announcement.
The following night, come Wednesday, October 15, eastbound I-70 travelers will encounter closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Detours will reroute traffic via the eastbound I-64 exit ramp and then to the eastbound I-70 left exit ramp. For those on southbound U.S. Route 61, reduced to one lane, the detour will involve westbound I-70 and a turnaround at the Route Z interchange, allowing access to eastbound I-70 or I-64. Furthermore, eastbound I-70 traffic set for northbound Route 61 will head to the I-64 exit ramp, loop at the Route A interchange, and proceed to northbound Route 61.
This work belongs to the broader Improve I-70 Warrenton to Wentzville Project, which broke ground following a consequential budget allocation by the governor and the state's FY2024 budget approval. This ambitious initiative totaling $2.8 billion, eyes the construction of a much-needed third lane to ease the convolutions along nearly 200 miles of I-70. This expansion sweeps from Blue Springs to Wentzville, aiming to alleviate travel strains through the artery of Missouri, as published by MoDOT. The entire project is expected to span from 2025 to 2028, heralding years of gradual change, and hopefully, improvement on this critical interstate stretch.
