Preparations are well underway to begin Phase Two of the Improve I-70 project, which will add a third lane to the interstate highway between Warrenton and Wentzville. Program Director Eric Kopinski told Missourinet that actual construction on I-70 between the two cities will begin next spring, weather pending.
“Yes, the team that was awarded just a couple weeks ago has already hit the ground running with a lot of design work and some utility coordination work, (and) some early outreach to emergency responders,” he said.
A coalition of two contractors and a design firm won the $600 million contract for Phase Two of expanding I-70.
“The main contractors will be Emery Sapp and Sons, that’s based out of Columbia, and Clarkson Construction, based out of Kansas City, and then the lead design firm is HNTB that’s got offices in St. Louis and Kansas City,” Kopinski said. “So they were the winning team, and they’re ready to hit the ground running.”
Kopinski said the $600 million project is the largest ever awarded by MoDOT. In addition to adding a third lane to I-70, Phase Two also includes straightening out the so-called “S” curve at Wentzville and making upgrades to the interchange with I-64. There will also be public hearings, most likely in March, to let people know what to expect when road work finally begins.
Missouri lawmakers passed and Gov. Mike Parson signed the $2.8 billion project into law in 2023. It will expand I-70 to six lanes total across Missouri from Blue Springs (Kansas City) to Wentzville (St. Louis).
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