Improve I-44 Missouri

[Plutonic Panda]

Another project which isn't completely funded yet to potentially follow the same model the state did with I-70 and modernize and widen the freeway throughout the state to be a minimum of 3 lanes each way.

Project webpage: https://www.modot.org/forward44

[Bobby5280]

I'm all for improving I-44 in Missouri. That highway carries a serious amount of truck traffic. It's generally a pretty busy corridor overall. Obviously it can't all be widened to 3x3 lanes at once.

I think the segment of I-44 from the OK state line and Joplin over to Springfield ought to be a priority. I-44 is a 3x3 configuration from the West edge of St Louis to Gray Summit and the exit for MO-100. Near term: I think they need to widen I-44 from that point to the interchange with US-50.

[kphoger]

I think the segment of I-44 from the OK state line and Joplin over to Springfield ought to be a priority.

Ugh.  Sometimes it isn't bad, but sometimes it's just wall-to-wall cars and trucks.  Fortunately for me, I typically only use ten miles of it these days (MO-96 to the James River).  But just those ten miles are enough!

[Beltway]

From the webpage:
"Interstate 44 is a vital east-west link across Missouri and to the nation. The corridor was completed in 1966, and in the decades since, has established itself as a route of statewide and national importance and a key freight corridor."

I drove it in 1971 and at least 60 miles was unbuilt, and on those segments the route followed the nonlimited-access 4-lane US-66. I just verified that on the map that I had with me.

I would have to find later maps to research, but it was more like late 1970s before it was all complete.

[Plutonic Panda]

Look, man I'm not wanting to judge and I'm not trying to be a moderator, but I'm begging ya, please do not hijack this thread into some weird twilight version of road geekery like the Key Bridge threads. I'm not sure exactly when this interstate was built, but hopefully this thread pertains more to the improvement project of the current interstate. The last thing we need is this dwelling into a discussion about some element of this that you're gonna inevitably tied to what you would equate the land equivalent of a dolphin to be. I'm being 100% serious not even trying to joke please man for the love of God. I'm really nervous that somehow I don't know why I feel like there's a small but not zero chance you're gonna start talking about possums here. That's enough to make me nervous.

[Road Hog]

In the 1980s I remember seeing glimpses of the old US 66 off to the side driving up I-44 somewhere around Rolla. There are probably whole abandoned stretches along the entire interstate, aside from the old-old US 66 routings that continue to exist today as business loops.

[ModernDayWarrior]

In the 1980s I remember seeing glimpses of the old US 66 off to the side driving up I-44 somewhere around Rolla. There are probably whole abandoned stretches along the entire interstate, aside from the old-old US 66 routings that continue to exist today as business loops.

Nearly all of old US 66 in Missouri still exists and is still drivable--in a lot of places they used it as outer roads for I-44. See here, here and here for a few examples.

[Life in Paradise]

In the 1980s I remember seeing glimpses of the old US 66 off to the side driving up I-44 somewhere around Rolla. There are probably whole abandoned stretches along the entire interstate, aside from the old-old US 66 routings that continue to exist today as business loops.

Nearly all of old US 66 in Missouri still exists and is still drivable--in a lot of places they used it as outer roads for I-44. See here, here and here for a few examples.

I remember going with my family down I-44 as we were traveling from Indiana to Arizona, Nevada, and California in the late 60s and early 70s.  There were quite a few areas where US-66 was four laned and it was also marked "Temp I-44".  These days they don't do that let alone tell you where the next segment starts.

[Stephane Dumas]

In the 1980s I remember seeing glimpses of the old US 66 off to the side driving up I-44 somewhere around Rolla. There are probably whole abandoned stretches along the entire interstate, aside from the old-old US 66 routings that continue to exist today as business loops.

Nearly all of old US 66 in Missouri still exists and is still drivable--in a lot of places they used it as outer roads for I-44. See here, here and here for a few examples.

I remember going with my family down I-44 as we were traveling from Indiana to Arizona, Nevada, and California in the late 60s and early 70s.  There were quite a few areas where US-66 was four laned and it was also marked "Temp I-44".  These days they don't do that let alone tell you where the next segment starts.

It would have been cool to see some vintage photos of these "Temp I-44" markers.

[Bobby5280]

I'm a little surprised we don't see any Temp Interstate markers on any of the various "new" Interstate corridors perpetually in progress (I-69, I-49, etc.).

At any rate, any of I-44 between OKC and St Louis that can be brought up to 3x3 or wider will make a big difference in making the corridor more comfortably drive-able.

I've said it before, but I really like how much different and BETTER the widened section of the Turner Turnpike going SW of Tulsa feels compared to the rest of the turnpike. The existing 2x2 laned sections are as narrow as possible to comply with Interstate standards. And the tree line comes right up next to the highway. That's not so great when you're driving a regular passenger vehicle and you're hemmed in by a bunch of semi trucks. It's borderline claustrophobic. When the road opens up to 3x3 configuration (with full inner & outer shoulders and extra grassy green space outside of the shoulders) the stress disappears. There's still lots of trucks on the road, but much more space to get around them.

[mvak36]

https://www.modot.org/node/90313

SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) has selected The Capital-CMT Team as the apparent best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor of the next project in MoDOT's Forward 44 Program. The winning proposal was selected from a competitive field of four teams, prioritizing projects at five locations across the region from Fidelity to Laclede County. The team consists of contractor Capital Paving and Construction with designer Crawford Murphy Tilly (CMT). Negotiations to finalize the contract are currently in progress.

Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project is a $471 million project that will prioritize improvements along the I-44 corridor at five key locations including:

   

• Major interchanges at I-44/I-49N in Fidelity and I-44/MO13 in Springfield;
• Widening to 6-lanes in the Greater Springfield Area;
• Pavement and safety improvements in Greene, Webster and Laclede Counties;
• Bridge improvements at Route EE in Springfield;
• And pavement improvements in Lawrence County.

Missouri's FY2024 budget from the General Assembly provided $20 million in General Revenue for the I-44 environmental study from the Oklahoma state line to Route 100 in Franklin County, which was completed in May 2025. The FY 2025 General Assembly provided $577.5 million in General Revenue for corridor improvements along I-44. The Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project includes $328 million of General Revenue and $143 million of STIP funds.

"Today's selection of The Capital-CMT Team as the Design-Build contractor for the Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project is a major step forward for MoDOT's Statewide Forward 44 Program," explained MHTC Chairman Warren Erdman. "This effort continues to look at innovative opportunities to deliver major projects with the greatest value to serve the citizens of Missouri for many years to come."

"We are honored by MoDOT's trust in the Capital-CMT team and excited for the opportunity to help deliver this transformational investment along the I-44 corridor," said Kevin Peart, Chief Operating Officer of Capital. "We look forward to partnering with MoDOT, local communities, and project stakeholders to deliver a safer, more resilient corridor that strengthens connectivity, and serves the region for decades to come."

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. The goals for the Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project  include:

• Deliver the project within the programmed budget
• Maximize safety and reliability with innovative improvements that reduce crashes, and promote economic development
• Construct a durable transportation facility that is compatible with freight movement and future expansion
• Minimize and mitigate delays to the traveling public while ensuring the highest level of safety for both workers and the public
• Deliver the project on or before November 15, 2031

The next steps include finalizing the contract, doing more detailed design of the roadway and interchanges, and outlining the construction schedule with traffic control plans. MoDOT will host public information meetings in Summer 2026 as these details are available. Construction is scheduled to begin later in 2026 with an anticipated completion in November 2031. For more information on the Forward 44 Program, visit www.modot.org/forward44.

Project Site: https://www.modot.org/projects/forward-44-southwest-i-44-improvements-project