Motorists in Callaway County can now rejoice as the Route FF is back in action, having been freed from the clutches of construction work ahead of schedule. The road was previously subject to height restrictions due to an overhead railroad bridge, which, according to MoDOT, has been successfully removed. The cleared path is a signal of progress on MoDOT’s ambitious Statewide Improve I-70 Program.
It's the breath of efficiency, seldom inhaled in the realm of roadworks, that allowed the crews to wrap up by October 30. Having started on October 14, they asserted a completion several weeks sooner than planned. MoDOT has not missed the beat to remind "all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones." The message carries the weight of concern woven with a call to responsibility.
This project is the first step in a larger plan to improve nearly 200 miles of I-70 across Missouri under a $405 million fixed-cost contract. The upgrades between Columbia and Kingdom City include adding a third lane in each direction, repaving the highway, and updating interchanges to improve traffic flow and safety.
Missouri’s FY2024 budget allocates $2.8 billion in general revenue for infrastructure projects, including plans to expand I-70 with a third lane from Blue Springs to Wentzville. The funding will support planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation efforts along the route.
