Teams from Missouri and Kansas are starting multimillion-dollar improvement projects aimed at replacing and enhancing outdated parts of the I-70 highway, which spans from Utah to Baltimore. These upgrades are designed to modernize the infrastructure and improve travel efficiency across the Midwest.

Missouri's $600 Million I-70 Extension Project

In Missouri, the Department of Transportation (DOT) kicked off a major I-70 extension project between Warrenton and Wentzville. The project, announced in a Missouri DOT press release on March 20, is valued at $600 million, making it the largest single contract in the state’s history. The funding for the project comes from Missouri’s fiscal year 2024 budget and previously allocated funds for other I-70 and I-64 projects.

“We are investing in a modern and more efficient I-70 that will better serve residents, businesses, and visitors well into the future,” Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said during the groundbreaking ceremony. The work will be executed by the Improve 70 Alliance, a design-build joint venture consisting of Columbia-based Emery Sapp and Sons, Topeka-based Bartlett and West, and Kansas City firms Clarkson Construction and HNTB.

The project will involve the addition of a third lane in each direction from Warrenton to I-64 in Wentzville. Existing lanes will be replaced with full-depth concrete pavement, and the I-64 stretch between I-70 and Route K will also be expanded with an additional travel lane in both directions.

Kansas Focuses on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project

In Kansas, Bettis Koss Construction, a joint venture between Topeka-based Bettis Asphalt & Construction and Koss Construction Co., has begun work on the I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct project. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and Gov. Laura Kelly announced the project’s groundbreaking on March 14. This initiative covers a 2.5-mile stretch of I-70 from Macvicar Avenue to 6th Avenue and local roadways in Topeka.

The construction project is part of the larger Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, a 10-year, $10 billion investment aimed at upgrading Kansas’ transportation infrastructure. The Polk-Quincy Viaduct, which has been in service for over six decades, will be replaced to improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity with surrounding communities.

“While the Polk-Quincy viaduct has served the community for over 60 years, we are investing in a modern and more efficient I-70 that will better serve residents, businesses, and visitors well into the future,” said Gov. Kelly during the ceremony. The project is slated to run until late 2027, with construction of the new viaduct and widening of I-70 west to Macvicar Avenue taking place in 2025.

Ongoing Investment in Transportation Infrastructure

Both projects are part of a broader effort to modernize the I-70 corridor, which is a vital transportation route for both states. These developments come as part of efforts to revitalize infrastructure to meet the demands of modern traffic and improve safety for drivers. The projects are also expected to provide significant economic benefits through job creation and improved logistics for local businesses.

Missouri and Kansas are both making substantial investments in their transportation networks, ensuring that I-70 will continue to be a critical route for years to come. As work continues, the improvements are expected to enhance safety, ease congestion, and facilitate smoother travel for commuters and businesses alike.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.