Express Lane - Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City reaches major pavement milestone

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Improve I-70 project reaches major pavement milestone

Be alert of active work zones across Missouri this football season

The Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City project recently reached a major construction milestone. After months of traffic being diverted into what was formerly the Interstate 70 median, on Aug. 15 crews successfully shifted eastbound I-70 traffic back onto newly paved eastbound lanes between Routes J and M in Callaway County.

These new eastbound lanes are made of high quality, full depth concrete pavement that will last for many years to come. Later this month, crews will begin the same process with the westbound lanes.

As football season kicks off, the stretch from Columbia to Kingdom City won't be the only active work zone for the Improve I-70 project. By September, six work zones will be in place along the I-70 corridor. Travel across the state via I-70 and through these major work zones will require extra time. The full list of work zones is available on the Improve I-70 project page.

Some things to be aware of during active work zones include narrowed lanes, atypical lane configurations and reduced speeds. MoDOT and its contractors are doing everything possible to minimize impacts during peak travel times, but increased game day traffic this football season is expected to add to travel delays.

Here are some tips to prepare your travel:

Sign up for project e-mails through MoDOT e-Update.
Refer to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for the latest work zone information.
Plan ahead, leave for your destination early and allow for extra time.
Be prepared for work zone delays.
Anticipate reduced speeds and abide by the speed limits.
Pay attention in work zones for narrowed lanes and atypical lane configurations.
Account for any unexpected impacts such as extra game day traffic, rush hour, crashes, etc.
Follow the speed limit, don't drive distracted and plan ahead for a sober ride.

MoDOT thanks the public for a successful Missouri State Fair

The 2025 Missouri State Fair has come to an end and this year's event garnered a lot of public interest thanks to Gov. Kehoe's unveiling of the new State Highway Map and a visit from Ollie, Amtrak's Missouri River Runner mascot. Thousands of people visited MoDOT's Highway Gardens building across the 11-day event to get a new map, learn about the dangers of impaired driving, spin the prize wheel and more. View photos from the fair.

MoDOT's Improve I-70 KC team shares a quarterly progress update

The Improve I-70 KC project includes a series of planned improvements on Interstate 70 between The Paseo Boulevard and U.S. 40/31st Street. Construction began in spring of 2025 with completion scheduled for spring of 2028. MoDOT has a new quarterly update video featuring Deputy Project Director James Pflum going over Phase 1 progress, which includes a bridge replacement at 23rd Street, a new bridge at 25th Street and more.

Legal or illegal. Right or wrong. Drive sober or get pulled over.

Driving impaired is just as illegal as, say, robbing a home. But we bet you know plenty of people who have driven impaired and not many robbers. And the consequences of driving while you’re drunk or high can be far more catastrophic than many other illegal activities, so why risk it? The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Campaign runs through the beginning of September to educate drivers about the importance of staying safe and sober.

Highway Safety Spotlight - 21 years of the Safe & Sober program

Safe and Sober was established in 2004 to provide Missouri schools and organizations no-cost materials to educate youth and parents on the facts and consequences of impaired driving as well as strategies to avoid that preventable behavior. Materials include videos, activities and lesson plans updated yearly and guided by the National Health Education Standards and Missouri Healthy Schools. The 2025-26 program will be added Sept. 1. Learn more.