SCHEDULE UPDATE: Traffic shift on westbound I-70 at Exit 117 starting tonight

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Due to forecasted weather, the planned traffic shift on westbound Interstate 70 near mile marker 117 in Boone County has been moved up to tonight.  

Beginning overnight Thursday, July 23, construction crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to divert westbound I-70 traffic down and up the newly reconstructed ramps at Boone County Route J (Exit 117). With new, wider ramps, two lanes of travel will be maintained, but speeds will be reduced to 35 mph. Rerouting traffic will allow crews to reconstruct the westbound I-70 bridge over Route J, which is expected to be completed by the end of November. 

Throughout this traffic shift and bridge construction, there will continue to be no access to and from westbound I-70 and Routes O and J. Until the new bridge is complete at the end of November, the following traffic impacts and detours will continue to be in place: 

• Westbound and eastbound I-70 to and from Route J: CLOSED. 
  • Detour: U.S. Route 40/Missouri Route 240.  
• Westbound I-70 to and from Route O: CLOSED. 
  • Detour from westbound I-70: Boone County Route BB (Exit 115) to eastbound I-70 to Route O. 
  • Detour to westbound I-70: Eastbound I-70 to Exit 121 to westbound I-70. 
• Route J to Route O (north-south access underneath I-70): CLOSED. 
  • Detour: U.S. Route 40/Missouri Route 240 to Boone County Route UU.  

Motorists are advised to slow down, use extra caution, and follow posted signs and traffic control devices.  

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.  

This work is part of one project in MoDOT’s Statewide Improve I-70 Program, Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia, which will add a third lane of travel in each direction to the 14-mile stretch of I-70 between the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport and approximately U.S. Route 63 in Columbia. This $441 million fixed-cost contract includes new pavement on all three lanes of I-70 and will also make interchange improvements at Route J/O, Midway (Route 40), Stadium Blvd., Business Loop 70, Providence Rd., Rangeline St., and U.S. Route 63. 

Missouri’s FY2024 budget, approved through the state legislative process and governor provides, $2.8 billion in General Revenue to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville. For more information on the Improve I-70 Program and to sign up for program e-mails, visit http://www.modot.org/improvei70. 

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates. 

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