What improvements are funded?

Funding is available for pavement improvements from Stadium Boulevard to the Interstate 70/U.S. Route 63 interchange and the I-70/U.S. Route 63 interchange itself.  Funding is not available for any other elements detailed in this study.

What is the total available budget for improvements?

The total budget available for the I-70 project is approximately $140M for the I-70/U.S. Route 63 interchange and approximately $50M for pavement improvements between Stadium Boulevard and the U.S. Route 63/I-70 interchange.

When will we see actual improvements on the ground?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) re-evaluation process is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. The design-build procurement process is anticipated to begin in 2023, with construction expected to start within the following year.

The NEPA re-evaluation study includes several other interchanges. How much will that cost and are they funded?

The NEPA study is reviewing possible solutions for 10 total interchanges through Boone County within an 18-mile corridor. A high-level project cost estimate will be included in the final NEPA document. Improvements are only funded for the I-70/U.S. Route 63 interchange and no funding is available for the other nine interchanges.

Why is MoDOT looking at the entire corridor if there is only funding for part of it?

The entire 18-mile corridor, from just east of the Route BB interchange to just east of the Route Z interchange in Boone County, is identified as the project boundary in the NEPA re-evaluation study which will update the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of I-70. This is a necessary first step before the design and construction process begins.

What accommodations will be made for alternative modes (bicycle/pedestrian facilities)?

Pedestrian and bicycle accommodations are being examined at each interchange included in the NEPA re-evaluation study. This information was presented at the fall 2022 public meeting.

Can MoDOT build a complete northern bypass of Columbia?

The 2005 EIS investigated a northern bypass of Columbia.  The northern bypass would attract a high number of trips, but these trips were not being diverted from existing I-70.  In addition, a complete interstate bypass north of Columbia is not financially feasible. This concept would require significant financial investment, time and right-of-way.

Can MoDOT expand the highway to three lanes in each direction through Columbia? 

The current NEPA re-evaluation is evaluating the environmental impacts of expanding I-70 to six lanes through Boone County to prepare for future work, however funding has not been identified for these improvements.

Will there be a continuous outer road through Boone County?

This is currently being studied, but there is no funding available at this time for the design or construction of a continuous outer road through Boone County.

Will the westbound I-70 Business Loop exit ramp be removed as part of this project? 

The I-70 study is taking a global look at each interchange along the corridor and how they work together as a transportation network. The future of the westbound I-70 Business Loop exit ramp will be determined once the preferred alternative is identified, and more detailed design work begins.

Can MoDOT include the Route 740/Stadium extension as part of this project?

The Stadium extension was investigated as a separate EIS in 2010.  That study identified that the Stadium extension would provide some operational improvements to the U.S. Route 63/I-70 interchange, but not to the extent that major improvements would not be required at the interchange. There is currently no funding available for the Stadium extension.

Why are you doing a design-build project and not a standard construction project?

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) approved design-build for the funded portions of this corridor. The design-build process leverages private sector innovation to build on existing conceptual designs through a competitive process. MoDOT is pursuing a design-build approach for this project to take advantage of a faster construction timeline and reduced project costs, promote innovation, and improve quality of the overall project. 

What does the current study involve?

MoDOT's Central District, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, is re-evaluating the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of I-70 from just east of the Route BB interchange to just east of the Route Z interchange in Boone County. A NEPA re-evaluation is necessary because the previous EIS document was complete more than 15 years ago, and the existing conditions, possible solutions, potential impacts, and related mitigation measures may have changed. 

During the current phase of work, there are a few primary objectives:

• Evaluate the previous Preferred Alternative to determine which elements are still valid and which ones will no longer meet the needs of the corridor.
• Develop new alternatives that meet the needs of the existing corridor.
• Re-evaluate impacts of the previously determined Preferred Alternatives, any new alternatives, current conditions, and related mitigation measures.
• Engage with stakeholders to provide a project status and obtain important feedback.
• Prepare the project to move forward into design.