Missouri

[Plutonic Panda]

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

There is a few spots on I 40 in New Mexico that are just littered with billboards. I'm talking one every 7 to 800 feet. The worst area is Cline's corner.

[Rothman]

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Pfft.  No.

[Plutonic Panda]

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Pfft.  No.

Though I haven't been to Europe, One thing that stands out to me in particular along Europe's motorways of which they have a very vast system that seems to be equal to the United States' Is their rural freeways Seem to be surrounded by very picturesque land and scenery. I've noticed in a lot of the states there's abandoned houses, Buildings, And just straight up aesthetically unpleasing circumstances.

[Rothman]

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Missouri really needs to clamp down on outdoor advertising. I-70 is just one billboard after another.

Pfft.  No.

Though I haven't been to Europe, One thing that stands out to me in particular along Europe's motorways of which they have a very vast system that seems to be equal to the United States' Is their rural freeways Seem to be surrounded by very picturesque land and scenery. I've noticed in a lot of the states there's abandoned houses, Buildings, And just straight up aesthetically unpleasing circumstances.

Amazing what happens if your country has a halfway decent social safety net.

[mrose]

Do they still have 1,000 billboards for Meramec Caverns on I-44?

My favorite one was when you passed the exit and there was another billboard that said "You Missed It!"

[ozarkman417]

Do they still have 1,000 billboards for Meramec Caverns on I-44?

My favorite one was when you passed the exit and there was another billboard that said "You Missed It!"

Yeah.. and in addition to them, I-44 now has more than enough billboards advertising the new Buc-ee's in Springfield.
On family road trips up to St Louis, we'd try to count how many Meramec Caverns billboards we could each spot. I think we counted around 80 (between SGF and STL)?

[ozarkman417]

Not sure if this sign will remain a unique piece or if I should expect to see more of these new welcome signs. Spotted on US 65 N near Ridgedale MO.

[Plutonic Panda]

The first of the Improve I-70 project has broken ground: https://www.modot.org/node/49263

[Stephane Dumas]

I saw the future ramp from US-63 northbound to I-70 westbound is a left exit.
https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/I-70%20and%2063%20Projection_1.pdf
Nothing against that but was it a way for MODOT to avoid acquiring and buying additional ROW from the gas station and the Ramada Hotel? 

[mvak36]

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article289596088.html

Drivers are warned to avoid Route 291 in Independence after reports that the mine underneath the highway has partially collapsed. Route 291 is built atop a mine and it developed a new crack on Thursday, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. The highway closed at 5 p.m. and will be closed until further notice, according to MoDOT. Local traffic will not be blocked at the state highway and Salisbury Road. Drivers on Route 291 can still exit northbound at Truman Road and southbound at U.S. 24. Additional work zones are expected to pop up along the highway as the mine crack, and subsequent roadway cracking, is evaluated.

[splashflash]

I-44 Gets $577.5M and US 67 South of Poplar Bluff Appears to Get $60M (or is it $150M?)

The latest in the budget points to $577.5 million for I-44 expansion work from St. Louis to Joplin. This was what remained after Governor "Parson's vetoes include $150 million from the general revenue fund to be transferred to the I-44 improvement fund."

https://sbj.net/stories/parson-signs-505b-budget-with-i-44-funding-included,95810

I read through the vetoes and didn't see any vetoing of the sizeable earmark for US 67 / Future I-57 widening south of Poplar Bluff to the Arkansas border.  $2M Hannibal Bypass funding and $2.5M US 36 / I-72 studies were axed.  $10M was axed from US 65 Buffalo to Warsaw widening, but that would leave $38M for the highway, according to the article below listing the earmark as $48M.

A recent news article states the Butler County US 67 earmark was actually $150M: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/.
"The largest example in this year's budget is $727.5 million from general revenue and borrowed funds for improvements along Interstate 44 in southwest Missouri. The earmark was inserted by House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, a Republican who represents Jasper County and is a candidate for state treasurer.

"Other big road items include $150 million to widen U.S. Highway 67 through Butler County and $48 million for work on U.S. 65 between Buffalo and Warsaw.  A previous article in the St. Louis Post in a post above stated $60M, but maybe that was the House bill and the Senate version significantly beefed it up.

[edwaleni]

I-44 Gets $577.5M and US 67 South of Poplar Bluff Appears to Get $60M (or is it $150M?)

The latest in the budget points to $577.5 million for I-44 expansion work from St. Louis to Joplin. This was what remained after Governor "Parson's vetoes include $150 million from the general revenue fund to be transferred to the I-44 improvement fund."

https://sbj.net/stories/parson-signs-505b-budget-with-i-44-funding-included,95810

I read through the vetoes and didn't see any vetoing of the sizeable earmark for US 67 / Future I-57 widening south of Poplar Bluff to the Arkansas border.  $2M Hannibal Bypass funding and $2.5M US 36 / I-72 studies were axed.  $10M was axed from US 65 Buffalo to Warsaw widening, but that would leave $38M for the highway, according to the article below listing the earmark as $48M.

A recent news article states the Butler County US 67 earmark was actually $150M: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/.
"The largest example in this year's budget is $727.5 million from general revenue and borrowed funds for improvements along Interstate 44 in southwest Missouri. The earmark was inserted by House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, a Republican who represents Jasper County and is a candidate for state treasurer.

"Other big road items include $150 million to widen U.S. Highway 67 through Butler County and $48 million for work on U.S. 65 between Buffalo and Warsaw.  A previous article in the St. Louis Post in a post above stated $60M, but maybe that was the House bill and the Senate version significantly beefed it up.

I noticed the variance as well when I was posting on I-57 elsewhere.

Poplar Bluff applied for a federal grant ($91 million) based on getting $60 million from the state.

But if the state grant is $150 million, then technically they won't need the federal grant at all. The Poplar Bluff city councilman was quoted saying the $91 million grant would "pay for everything" beyond the $60 million.

Time will tell.

[Plutonic Panda]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

[intelati49]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

Is it 360 (US60)?

By raw volumes it's not bad. The issue is that it's literally 30% trucks or more.

[Plutonic Panda]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

Is it 360 (US60)?

By raw volumes it's not bad. The issue is that it's literally 30% trucks or more.

I'm honestly not sure cause this was a while ago. But yes, it did seem like truck traffic was snarling a lot of the regular traffic. But there was still quite a bit of car traffic as well.

[intelati49]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

Is it 360 (US60)?

By raw volumes it's not bad. The issue is that it's literally 30% trucks or more.

I'm honestly not sure cause this was a while ago. But yes, it did seem like truck traffic was snarling a lot of the regular traffic. But there was still quite a bit of car traffic as well.

At least 4k semi trucks one way per day.

Counts vary from 17-20k in total one way.

Man. The counts are worse than I imagined. (36k at the lightest around Mount Vernon)

[Plutonic Panda]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

Is it 360 (US60)?

By raw volumes it's not bad. The issue is that it's literally 30% trucks or more.

I'm honestly not sure cause this was a while ago. But yes, it did seem like truck traffic was snarling a lot of the regular traffic. But there was still quite a bit of car traffic as well.

At least 4k semi trucks one way per day.

Counts vary from 17-20k in total one way.

Man. The counts are worse than I imagined. (36k at the lightest around Mount Vernon)

So where the hell are all these trucks going? Because I 30 in Arkansas is suffering the same problem. Are the trucks from I 30 going to the south east area of the country and the trucks on I 44 are going to the north east? Because I remember one day when I was driving from St. Louis back to Oklahoma City, it was one of the worst drives I've ever had. No accidents, but it was just this slow moving traffic that would come to a stop and go every so often and I mean it must've taken me seven hours. I'm not kidding you. Once you get past Springfield, it's like the traffic disappears.

[edwaleni]

The I-44 expansion will help a lot. I've driven that road a few times to St. Louis from OKC. And I don't know why but at some point past Springfield traffic picks up immensely especially truck traffic. I was shocked.

Is it 360 (US60)?

By raw volumes it's not bad. The issue is that it's literally 30% trucks or more.

I'm honestly not sure cause this was a while ago. But yes, it did seem like truck traffic was snarling a lot of the regular traffic. But there was still quite a bit of car traffic as well.

At least 4k semi trucks one way per day.

Counts vary from 17-20k in total one way.

Man. The counts are worse than I imagined. (36k at the lightest around Mount Vernon)

So where the hell are all these trucks going? Because I 30 in Arkansas is suffering the same problem. Are the trucks from I 30 going to the south east area of the country and the trucks on I 44 are going to the north east? Because I remember one day when I was driving from St. Louis back to Oklahoma City, it was one of the worst drives I've ever had. No accidents, but it was just this slow moving traffic that would come to a stop and go every so often and I mean it must've taken me seven hours. I'm not kidding you. Once you get past Springfield, it's like the traffic disappears.

Springfield is not only the HQ for Prime, (18th largest nationally) but several regional trucking firms that LTL in the region. Truck volumes are driven by not only the customers they serve, but also where their terminals are located. Most terminals are in close proximity to distribution and logistics centers. Springfield is also a logistics center.

XPO is the third largest LTL hauler nationally and they have a terminal up in nearby Marshfield, Missouri.

I haven't even touched on UPS, FedEx, Amazon, JB Hunt and the various firms that win US Mail contracts on lowest bid like USA Truck. By coincidence, it is now owned by the German National Railroad.

[mvak36]

They posted on the project site an info sheet showing what projects are already funded and what additional projects are being funded with what the legislature passed (and the governor signed): https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-07%20Forward%2044%20Complete%20Info%20Sheet.pdf

[mvak36]

https://www.modot.org/node/53095

Contractor Selected for Improve I-70 KC Project
Paseo to I-435 Section in Jackson County to start spring of 2025

JACKSON COUNTY – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) has selected Clarkson-Radmacher Joint Venture as the apparent best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor for the Improve I-70 Kansas City Design-Build Project in Kansas City. Negotiations to finalize the contract are currently in progress.

The Improve I-70 KC project is a five-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between The Paseo Blvd. and US 40/31 St. in KC. This section of I-70 was built in the early 1960s and carries up to 120,000 vehicles per day with heavy traffic congestion during rush hours and traffic incidents. It includes 12 interchanges and 26 bridges. The current section has narrow shoulders, short distances between ramps, low bridge vertical clearances, and outdated roadway geometric features. Most of the bridges and pavement are in poor condition, and the pedestrian and bicycle facilities need improvement.

"This project is critical to the Kansas City region to replace aging infrastructure, improve connectivity between neighborhoods along and across I-70, and improve safety and traffic flow including the Benton and Jackson curves," said Missouri Department of Transportation Improve I-70 KC Project Director Allan Ludiker. "We will do all of this while keeping three lanes of I-70 open each direction during the World Cup."

The $237 million Improve I-70 KC project will improve the safety and reliability of this corridor section, maintain the serviceability of bridges and pavement, and improve accessibility for the local community, while minimizing the overall traffic impacts along the corridor. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025 with an anticipated project completion by spring 2028, which is 7 months ahead of the required completion date. Three lanes of I-70 will remain open in both directions during the 2026 World Cup.

The selected team, including contractor Clarkson-Radmacher Joint Venture and designer HNTB, competed against one other design-build team.

The winning Improve I-70 KC project proposal includes:

    Add a fourth eastbound I-70 lane from Prospect Ave to the Manchester Ave Bridge
    Replace 15 bridges and rehabilitate another seven bridges
    Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity throughout the project area
    Reconstruct I-70 from Chestnut Ave to 18th St (Benton curve)
    Reconstruct eastbound I-70 from 27th St to Cypress Ave (Jackson curve)
    Rehabilitate westbound I-70 from 27th St to Cypress Ave (Jackson curve)

"The Clarkson-Radmacher Joint Venture could not be more honored and excited to be the selected team for the Improve I 70 KC Design Build project," said Bruce Timmons Jr., vice president of structures for the Clarkson Construction Company. "Our team has a deep history of working with MoDOT on projects in Kansas City and along this corridor of I-70. We look forward to working with MoDOT once again to deliver another transformational project to Kansas City."

Design-Build is a project delivery method that combines both the design and construction phases into one contract. The selected contract team completes the design and construction in parallel instead of in succession, which saves time and resources.

MoDOT plans to host public information meetings in fall 2024 ahead of construction where project plans and traffic control details will be shared.

For more information on the Improve I-70 KC project, visit www.modot.org/improvei70kc.

Video rendering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpV3v8aUzFE

[Plutonic Panda]

Based off of that video doesn't look like the most exciting "improvement" I've ever seen.

[mvak36]

Based off of that video doesn't look like the most exciting "improvement" I've ever seen.

They are fixing the low speed curves at Jackson and Benton so I'm happy about that.

[Plutonic Panda]

Based off of that video doesn't look like the most exciting "improvement" I've ever seen.

They are fixing the low speed curves at Jackson and Benton so I'm happy about that.

That will be nice, but it looks like on some parts unless they just decided not to render it in, it doesn't show that they're adding shoulders.

[Sani]

It's kind of odd that they're only adding a fourth lane to the eastbound lanes and not both.

I get that we're getting a lot done and stretching MoDOT's budget as far as possible, but it would be nice if they invested something into beautifying it, at least a little bit. Use the same design language that was used on the U.S. 71 project in the late 90s and early 2000s.

[mvak36]

There is a letting for I-57 in the upcoming letting in September

September 20, 2024 Letting:

(1): Job J9P3751 Route 67 BUTLER County. Upgrade to freeway, 3 bridges and 2 box culvert extensions from 2.0 miles south of Poplar Bluff to 4.5 miles south of Poplar Bluff, the total length of improvement being 2.504 miles.
(2): Job J9P3764 Route 67 BUTLER County. Upgrade to freeway from 1.5 mi. south of Route 158 near Harviell to County Road 338, the total length of improvement being 1.647 miles.