Missouri

[Great Lakes Roads]

75MPH BILL SIGNED INTO LAW!!     

https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-takes-action-remaining-legislation

Missouri is now the 19th state to have a speed limit higher than 70 mph!

[ModernDayWarrior]

Traffic flowing on new Chester Bridge

The Don Welge Memorial Bridge, connecting Perryville, MO to Chester, IL, had a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 11 and is now open. Traffic on the new bridge is currently westbound only; eastbound traffic is still using the old bridge for now because construction crews are still working on the road connections on both sides. It should be totally wrapped up by the end of the month.

I visited the area again today and took a video driving across the new bridge.

[kphoger]

I visited the area again today and took a video driving across the new bridge.

Thanks for sharing!

[Stephane Dumas]

Google Earth showed some recent satellite pics showing the construction progress of the interchange at the I-70/US-63 junction dated from June 12, 2026.

[The Ghostbuster]

Would it have been possible to build a freeway-to-freeway interchange between US 63 and Interstate 70 when either freeway was first constructed through the Columbia area?

[Great Lakes Roads]

Improve I 70: Blue Springs to Odessa - August 2026 Update

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

MoDot suspend launch of 75 MPH speed limit.

[rte66man]

MoDot suspend launch of 75 MPH speed limit.

Was any reason given?

[The Ghostbuster]

I can't drive 75?

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

MoDot suspend launch of 75 MPH speed limit.

Was any reason given?

Political reasons, source Fox 2 St. Louis

[ElishaGOtis]

MoDot suspend launch of 75 MPH speed limit.

Was any reason given?

Political reasons, source Fox 2 St. Louis

Pah. I highly doubt it's political...

Sauce: https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/modot-delays-launch-of-new-75-mph-speed-limit/

They're studying every lane-mile of 70mph posted limits on freeways. Imagine how many individual speed studies will be needed to justify 75, if even warranted. Plus, they likely also need to consider crashes or design limitations, but don't quote me.

Although this bill did technically change both the default and max allowed limits, I believe it's wise that they take a slower approach. This is not much different than how Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas did their increases after all...

I would have been BEYOND surprised if everything got spammed at 75 on 8/28 (it usually takes a couple weeks to do a SINGLE speed study, let alone the multitudes that would have been required for this), although I am slightly surprised that they aren't going to launch a test section first on 8/28 (maybe because it is a default limit change, after all?).

[ElishaGOtis]

There's also this article: https://www.komu.com/news/state/modot-identifies-highways-being-evaluated-for-new-75-mph-speed-limit/article_86e2f097-1184-4bf2-8a0f-5437b79117b1.html

[Revive 755]

^ No consideration on I-55, I-57, or I-155?  I-55 already ties into the 75 mph section in Arkansas (and it doesn't seem like many slow down heading north across the state line).  The southeastern section of Missouri is flat and IMHO most worthy of an increase to 75.

I don't recall hearing about Iowa needing to do much studying when they recently bumped their two lane roads up to 60 from 55.

EDIT:  And it feels like MoDOT is delaying and trying to provoke a response from the legislature.  They've had over a month to start the studies.  Next time they want to statute to require studying to set the limit less than 75?

[ElishaGOtis]

^ No consideration on I-55, I-57, or I-155?  I-55 already ties into the 75 mph section in Arkansas (and it doesn't seem like many slow down heading north across the state line).  The southeastern section of Missouri is flat and IMHO most worthy of an increase to 75.

I don't recall hearing about Iowa needing to do much studying when they recently bumped their two lane roads up to 60 from 55.

EDIT:  And it feels like MoDOT is delaying and trying to provoke a response from the legislature.  They've had over a month to start the studies.  Next time they want to statute to require studying to set the limit less than 75?

I'm under the impression that although the statute did technically change the default speed limit, it was not the intent to change the default speed limit unlike Iowa. As such, they have to study HUNDREDS of miles... I read that their goal was to have some sections completed by January but I can't be for certain.

https://mopress.com/stories/capitol-report-8212026,39837?

[Sani]

^ No consideration on I-55, I-57, or I-155?  I-55 already ties into the 75 mph section in Arkansas (and it doesn't seem like many slow down heading north across the state line).  The southeastern section of Missouri is flat and IMHO most worthy of an increase to 75.

I don't recall hearing about Iowa needing to do much studying when they recently bumped their two lane roads up to 60 from 55.

EDIT:  And it feels like MoDOT is delaying and trying to provoke a response from the legislature.  They've had over a month to start the studies.  Next time they want to statute to require studying to set the limit less than 75?

Did the bill from the legislature include extra money for MoDOT to complete speed studies? If not, I'm sure their engineers have plenty to do as it is and will get to it when they can.

[roadman65]

I see I-70 was not included.  Im assuming that is cause I-70 has too many interchanges and also being overcapcitated at four lanes at the moment

[Sani]

I see I-70 was not included.  Im assuming that is cause I-70 has too many interchanges and also being overcapcitated at four lanes at the moment.

From the MoDOT Update:

Interstate 70's speed limit will not increase during the historic rebuild and expansion delivered through the Improve I-70 Program. MoDOT will reevaluate this corridor upon completion of the program.

[roadman65]

I see I-70 was not included.  Im assuming that is cause I-70 has too many interchanges and also being overcapcitated at four lanes at the moment.

From the MoDOT Update:

Interstate 70's speed limit will not increase during the historic rebuild and expansion delivered through the Improve I-70 Program. MoDOT will reevaluate this corridor upon completion of the program.

My guess was right then.  It dont take a rocket scientist to see I-70 has setbacks.  Just drive it once.

[splashflash]

I emailed MoDOT about this a few weeks ago but never heard back. Are there any plans to complete the interchange improvements at U.S. 65 and U.S. 60 in Springfield? Specifically, to turn the existing southbound lanes into a C-D road and construct new southbound mainline lanes in the middle? They did half of the work already.

I got a reply from a local engineer:

You had reached out several months ago asking if any additional improvements are planned for the 60/65 interchange area.  We do not have any plans at this time, but a study of transportation needs for this area is planned for next year.  This effort will be led by the Ozarks Transportation Organization and will include public meetings to obtain feedback.  I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this effort since you had expressed interest.

Transportation planners allocate $1M for study of 60/65 interchange
Stakeholders along Route 60 are optimistic that the study signals potential adjustments to MoDOT's plans for the corridor

https://sgfcitizen.org/economy-growth/transportation/springfield-transportation-planners-advance-1m-study-of-60-65-interchange/

In the wake of recent pushback against plans to eliminate all at-grade crossings along Route 60 between Routes 65 and J/NN, the Ozarks Transportation Organization is preparing to conduct an access and operational study of the road network near and including the 60/65 interchange. 

At its Nov. 20 meeting, the OTO's Board of Directors approved several measures related to the study, including an intergovernmental cooperative agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the city of Springfield, City Utilities and Greene County.

In total, the five entities are pooling $1 million for the study, with $800,000 in federal funds. MoDOT and the city are each providing $300,000, OTO is putting up $200,000 and CU and Greene County are each providing $100,000. Sara Fields, executive director of the OTO, said the final cost of the study could vary.

US 60-US 65 PEL Study: Access & Operations Analysis
https://www.ozarkstransportation.org/6065study
Study Updates
7/9/2026 - Summary of feedback received from recent meetings, survey responses and emails has been added to the Study Documents section below.  https://www.ozarkstransportation.org/uploads/documents/US60-65-PEL-Study-Public-Listening-Session-1-Feedback-Summary.pdf