Districts Impacted
Project Summary
The I-44 Corridor Upgrades in Greene County include lane widening, bridge replacement, and interchange improvements along the I-44 Corridor in the Springfield area to improve capacity along Interstate 44 between Kansas Expressway and U.S. Route 65. This project is part of the Forward 44 Planning Study.
I-44 Widening Project Information:
- Widening I-44 to 6 lanes between Missouri Route 13 (Kansas Expressway) and U.S. Route 65
- Replace the following bridges carrying I-44 over city streets:
- Broadway Avenue Bridge
- Grant Avenue Bridge
- National Avenue Bridge
- Build pedestrian underpass and trail improvements east of Grant Avenue
- Resurface I-44 between west of Missouri Route 266 (Chestnut Expressway) and east of U.S. Route 160 (West Bypass)
- Build a sound wall south of I-44 from the National Avenue bridge west, approximately 2,550 feet
Traffic Impacts:
- Narrowed lanes, traffic shifts on I-44
- I-44 will maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction, except for short-duration closures during nighttime hours
- I-44 ramp closures
- Road and bridge closures for the following locations:
- Broadway Avenue closed up to 140 days
- Grant Avenue closed up to 140 days
- National Avenue closed up to 140 days
- During higher traffic volume, drivers can expect delays
Future Projects:
- Build southbound Missouri Route 13 (Kansas Expressway) to eastbound I-44 flyover ramp
- Norton Road interchange improvements and underpass
- Replace the Melville Road bridge over I-44 (includes pedestrian accommodations)
- Rehabilitate Route EE (Division Street) Bridge over I-44
Project Milestones
Crossway Baptist Church, 2900 N Barnes Ave, Springfield
Crossway Baptist Church, 2900 N Barnes Ave, Springfield
Resurface I-44 west of Route 266 and east of U.S. Route 160
I-44 Sound Wall Construction
Public Meeting for Melville Road Bridge Replacement Project over I-44
Public Meeting for Missouri Route 13/Kansas Expressway Interchange at I-44
Public Meeting for Greene County Route EE/Division Street Bridge Rehab over I-44
Route EE/Division Street Bridge Rehab over I-44
NEWS RELEASES
-
MoDOT to host Groundbreaking Ceremony to Kick-off Interstate 44 Improvements in Springfield
GREENE COUNTY - The Missouri Department of Transportation will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the start of construction for the Interstate 44 corridor upgrades in Springfield, part of the multi-phase Forward 44 Program along the...
-
MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT: Eastbound I-44 Traffic Shift in Springfield Begins Monday, March 24
Where: Eastbound I-44 traffic shifted to the south between U.S. Route 65 and Glenstone Avenue in Springfield
When: Monday, March 24
What: Contractor crews will begin to shift eastbound I-44 traffic to the south at 8 p.m., Sunday night, March 23, as...
-
MoDOT: Forward 44: Construction of I-44 Widening Project in Springfield
Springfield – A project to widen I-44 to six lanes, three lanes in each direction, between Missouri Route 13 (Kansas Expressway) and U.S. Route 65 in Springfield is scheduled to start the week of March 10, the Missouri Department of Transportation...
-
MoDOT: Forward 44: Construction of I-44 Widening Project in Springfield Focus of Public Meeting
Springfield – Those interested in a project to widen I-44 to six lanes, three lanes in each direction, in Springfield are invited to a public meeting to learn of upcoming traffic impacts due to construction and project information on Tuesday...
-
MoDOT: I-44 Corridor Improvements Project in Springfield Focus of Public Meeting Tuesday, March 19
Springfield – Those interested in a project to improve traffic flow along the I-44 corridor in Springfield are invited to a public meeting to discuss proposed improvements and project information on Tuesday, March 19, the Missouri Department of...
Project Files
- I-44 Corridor in Springfield Fact Sheet
- I-44 Widening Kansas Exp to East of National Ave
- I-44 Widening West of Glenstone Ave to U.S. Route 65
- I-44 at National Ave Proposed Noise Wall
- I-44 Widening Traffic Control and Detour
- I-44 Widening - Glenstone to US 65 Construction Phases
- I-44 Widening - MO 13/Kansas to Glenstone Construction Phases
- Kansas Expressway (Missouri Route 13) Interchange - Phase 1
- Melville Road Bridge
- Melville Road Bridge Detour
- I-44 Corridor Video
Frequently Asked Questions:
When will the road closures take place?
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, and finish at the end of 2026. An exact schedule will not be available until a contractor is awarded the projects. MoDOT encourages people to sign up for automated email alerts to receive active construction information.
Will Broadway, Grant and National be closed at the same time?
To accommodate traffic flow across I-44, at least one of these roads will be open at all times. Traffic will be expected to use the open road, as well as Kansas Expressway and Glenstone Avenue.
Why are there not more sound walls being built?
A sound study is done whenever MoDOT adds through lanes, a new road or changes the alignment of a roadway. We can only build walls in those locations where all criteria are met. Additional information on the noise policy can be found here.
What type of pedestrian improvements will be constructed with this project?
Through a financial partnership with the City of Springfield and Greene County, a pedestrian underpass is being constructed to allow pedestrians to cross under I-44 east of Grant Avenue. A shared use path will be constructed from an existing trail south of I-44 to Norton Road on the north side of I-44.
The Melville Bridge Replacement project includes multi-use path improvements over the new bridge structure and sidewalk leading up to the bridge on the east side of Melville between Farm Road 112 and Norton Road. The bridge will be built to accommodate multi-use path improvements to support future trail connections to Melville providing another crossing of I-44.
Is MoDOT purchasing property from landowners?
MoDOT will begin acquiring property for the Melville Bridge replacement project and the pedestrian underpass in the Spring of 2024. Acquisition of property for the I-44/Kansas Expressway interchange will be at the end of 2025 and in 2026. Additional information for the acquisition process can be found here.
Why is the Kansas Expressway (Route 13) Interchange not being constructed at the same time as the other projects?
The Route 13 Interchange Improvements are not currently included with the I-44 widening project because the interchange reconfiguration has many complexities that require addition time for planning and design. The project is currently planned for construction starting in FY 2027.
