Drivers in Cooper County can expect slower traffic on Interstate 70 this week due to core drilling operations by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in certain areas as part of preliminary work for a planned project to widen this key state corridor.
The lane reductions will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow through Thursday. MoDOT noted that the single-lane restrictions will occur between mile markers 101 and 113, with the full 12-mile stretch not closed at once. Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures in both directions during these hours, which may cause delays.
The core sampling is part of preparatory work for the Improve I-70 program, which plans to expand the highway to three lanes in each direction across Missouri. The project covers nearly 200 miles of roadway, from Blue Springs to Wentzville, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and conclude by late 2027.
MoDOT emphasizes safety in work zones, advising drivers to buckle up, avoid using phones, follow traffic signs, and slow down and move over where indicated. The core drilling and future construction activities are also subject to weather conditions, as operations may be delayed or adjusted depending on the forecast.
Additional information about the Improve I-70 program is available on MoDOT’s website. The project, funded through Missouri’s FY2024 budget with $2.8 billion.
