Missouri

[splashflash]

US 61 Corridor Study for St. Charles County

https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-61-safety-and-traffic-study-st-charles-county

Project Summary

MoDOT is performing a Traffic Safety & Operations study for the corridor of US 61 from the I-64/I-70 interchange to the Lincoln County line.  Engineers will review safety and crash data for the corridor, as well as review current and projected traffic volumes based on anticipated developments in the area.  MoDOT is anticipating a public open house to be held in fall 2025 to discuss the findings, as well as present alternatives that were studied and a final preferred alternative for additional study.


Is anything funded for construction?

Approximately $40 million (Assuming STIP-Statewide Transportation Improvement Program approved) has been allocated for construction of corridor improvements starting in 2028.

What will the first improvements look like?

The study team confirmed and recommended the construction of a grade-separate interchange on Highway W at US-61 which would replace the current at-grade median crossover that exists today.  To provide local users full access to the 61/W interchange, the study recommended constructing/connecting outer roads along both side of US-61 between Dietrich Road and McHugh Road.  These initial outer road segments would allow for the closure of the remaining at-grade median crossovers in St. Charles County.  The current conceptual configuration for the proposed 61/W interchange is a "dogbone" style with roundabouts at each end of the future bridge, similar to the 64/Prospect dogbone interchange in Lake St. Louis. 

[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.

[splashflash]

New meeting display boards and survey for upgrading US 61 in St. Charles County. https://www.modot.org/media/54651
Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RHCSLC7
Construction of new Route W interchange at US 61 to occur in 2028.  Funding secured.  Other projects unfunded.

[Revive 755]

\

New meeting display boards and survey for upgrading US 61 in St. Charles County. https://www.modot.org/media/54651

And the Wentzville Parkway/Route A interchange is proposed as a SPUI over a DDI, interesting.

If MoDOT is already considering six laning US 61 north of Wentzville Parkway I wonder how long before they may need to consider going to eight lanes between I-70 and at least MO 364, plus replacing the SB to EB loop ramp at MO 364 with the turbine ramp (which the stub still exists for) or a flyover?

[splashflash]

\

New meeting display boards and survey for upgrading US 61 in St. Charles County. https://www.modot.org/media/54651

And the Wentzville Parkway/Route A interchange is proposed as a SPUI over a DDI, interesting.

If MoDOT is already considering six laning US 61 north of Wentzville Parkway I wonder how long before they may need to consider going to eight lanes between I-70 and at least MO 364, plus replacing the SB to EB loop ramp at MO 364 with the turbine ramp (which the stub still exists for) or a flyover?

I-64 is getting significant widening now.
Wentzville appears to be securing road right-of-way for the US 61 west outer road: https://www.wentzvillemo.gov/projects/u-s-61-west-outer-road-extension-phases-2-and-3/
This project will provide a new outer road system that would link the new interchange at Route 61/Peine Road/Highway P to Wentzville Parkway. The first portion of the outer road has been constructed from Peine Loop Road to Jockeys Run. This project will continue the 2-lane outer road from Jockeys Run to Wentzville Parkway, along with providing dedicated left-turn lanes at key locations. Once this connection is completed, it is anticipated that the access openings will then be eliminated on Southbound Route 61

[Chris]

The northbound bridge of US 169 across the BNSF Railroad in Kansas City was closed on December 16, after a section of the bridge deck has become disjointed from the rest of the bridge.





This is a serious problem, it's not just a broken bridge joint, the bridge deck seems to have shifted or maybe the piers sagged.

This bridge was built around 1954. It was already scheduled for replacement, with works beginning after the 2026 World Cup. The new bridge will featured improved geometry.

This project is the replacement of the northbound U.S. 169 bridge over BNSF railroad. While safe to travel on the current bridge is reaching the end of its service life. 

This is a very challenging project due to the bridge length, desire to improve horizontal geometry, coordination with outside entities (KCMO, BNSF Railroad, and the NKC Levee District), and tight working areas.

Construction is anticipated to begin the Summer of 2026 following the World Cup and will last for two full years. 

https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-169-bridge-replacement-clay-county


The Missouri Department of Transportation will close the northbound U.S. 169 viaduct bridge over the BSNF railroad located just north of the Buck O'Neil Bridge and the downtown airport beginning TODAY, Tuesday, Dec. 16. The full closure will remain in place until further evaluation can be completed.


https://www.modot.org/node/81144

[splashflash]

This is the last I have seen: https://themissouritimes.com/opinion-zero-accountability-thy-name-is-modot/

"Lately, the refrain has been that we can get the designation as soon as the Hannibal bypass is built to the west (literally only God knows when that will happen)."

Between the governor vetoing the line item last year from the budget for more study of the Hannibal expressway and - according to Riggs - MoDOT stonewalling the project, it is not moving forward.

Disappointing but not surprising. Of all the places I drive through regularly I can't think of any place more in need of a bypass than Hannibal is. When a town that size says "please bypass us" that is a pretty clear sign.

https://khqa.com/news/local/concerns-over-financing-arise-as-ralls-county-explores-us-61-hannibal-expressway-plan

"Residents' concerns centered mainly on financing. The project has been attempted in the past without success.

"Our committee started meeting pre-COVID, so it's been about six years since we've been meeting, going through and making sure that we've exhausted every avenue. We've tried going political routes, we've tried every other route we can, and it seems like we just keep getting beat out by other local agencies that have a TDD, and can put some skin in the game," said Michael Purol, Co-Chair of the HREDC Transportation Committee.

"The proposed district would collect a half-cent sales tax within Marion and Ralls counties for up to 25 years.

"A similar meeting will be held at the Marion County Courthouse on Thursday.

[ModernDayWarrior]

Bill could raise speed limit on Mo. rural highways, interstates

A bill in the State Senate would raise Missouri's maximum speed limit to 75. This has been proposed before without going anywhere, but there actually seems to be support in the state legislature this time, so we'll see.

[Sani]

The northbound bridge of US 169 across the BNSF Railroad in Kansas City was closed on December 16, after a section of the bridge deck has become disjointed from the rest of the bridge.





This is a serious problem, it's not just a broken bridge joint, the bridge deck seems to have shifted or maybe the piers sagged.

This bridge was built around 1954. It was already scheduled for replacement, with works beginning after the 2026 World Cup. The new bridge will featured improved geometry.

This project is the replacement of the northbound U.S. 169 bridge over BNSF railroad. While safe to travel on the current bridge is reaching the end of its service life. 

This is a very challenging project due to the bridge length, desire to improve horizontal geometry, coordination with outside entities (KCMO, BNSF Railroad, and the NKC Levee District), and tight working areas.

Construction is anticipated to begin the Summer of 2026 following the World Cup and will last for two full years. 

https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-169-bridge-replacement-clay-county


The Missouri Department of Transportation will close the northbound U.S. 169 viaduct bridge over the BSNF railroad located just north of the Buck O'Neil Bridge and the downtown airport beginning TODAY, Tuesday, Dec. 16. The full closure will remain in place until further evaluation can be completed.


https://www.modot.org/node/81144

I've been waiting to hear how MoDOT is going to handle this. Will they do some sort of temporary repair to get it open in time for the World Cup before replacing it, or is the damage bad enough that they might as well just start work on it now? The estimated clearance time for the closure that started on 12/16 is 12/31/2026, so I wonder if that's just a temporary date, or whether they intend to complete the replacement in one year.

Given how uncooperative the railroads tend to be with projects like this, I'd be shocked if they could move up the established construction plans, honestly.

[ElishaGOtis]

Bill could raise speed limit on Mo. rural highways, interstates

A bill in the State Senate would raise Missouri's maximum speed limit to 75. This has been proposed before without going anywhere, but there actually seems to be support in the state legislature this time, so we'll see.

Here are the bills:

Bill in MO House and Senate to review and implement default speed limit of 75mph on freeways, in addition to raising the universal max allowed limit to 75mph.

Study bill: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2583&year=2026&code=R

Implementation bill (default freeway 75): https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?Sessiontype=R&BillPrefix=SB&BillSuffix=1408

This is great news imho. Multiple surrounding states are 75+ and the terrain is relatively similar. My only concern is that this changes the default speed limit, rather than simply allowing MoDOT to put 75 while keeping the default at 70. Parts of I-70 built on the original design probably shouldn't be 75 just yet imho...

[ModernDayWarrior]

There are a few parts of I-44 as well where 75 mph would be iffy. The stretch around Waynesville/Fort Leonard Wood is tricky even at 70.

Other than that, I think 75 should be just fine on the vast majority of Missouri's interstates, especially once the I-70 reconstruction is done in a few years.

[Revive 755]

I-55, I-57, and I-155 in southeast Missouri should definitely be 75.  In addition to I-44, I wonder if some of the hills on I-29 and I-55 would be more of a problem at 75 without adding climbing lanes.

[ElishaGOtis]

While I am a believer that all 65-70 states should allow 75, MO is definitely at the top of that list. What's funny is that like OR (which also caps at 70), MO consistently posts 65-70 on non-freeways as well as freeways.

I'd say it's up there with OR, CA, IL,  FL, and IA for strongly needing 75+ imho (maybe add TN to that?)... WA, MN, IN, and LA (other than I-49) at least allow 75...

Granted, additional details of that are likely to be fictional.

[Chris]

https://www.modot.org/node/81922

The damaged US 169 viaduct over the BNSF Railroad in Kansas City likely won't reopen to traffic again.

They're going to put in place a crossover so that both directions can use the southbound viaduct 'sometime in the spring'.

[Sani]

https://www.modot.org/node/81922

The damaged US 169 viaduct over the BNSF Railroad in Kansas City likely won't reopen to traffic again.

They're going to put in place a crossover so that both directions can use the southbound viaduct 'sometime in the spring'.

Interesting. From the FAQ on the project, one of the answers to, "Why did this project not take place during the construction of the Buck O'Neil Bridge?"

"Construction phasing for the Buck O'Neil project was established to maintain access to the downtown airport. Northbound traffic was maintained during construction of Buck O'Neil. The location of the NB U.S. 169 bridge provides limited options for shifting traffic to the southbound bridge and back to the northbound bridge."

(emphasis mine)

I guess their hand got forced on figuring out one of those limited options.

[mvak36]

I guess since they closed this earlier than they were originally planning, could they start some of the work as soon as the contractor gets Notice to Proceed? Something like starting the demolition this spring or summer instead of waiting until after the World Cup.

[Sani]

I guess since they closed this earlier than they were originally planning, could they start some of the work as soon as the contractor gets Notice to Proceed? Something like starting the demolition this spring or summer instead of waiting until after the World Cup.

Probably some of it, but I have a feeling there were lots of long and tense meetings between MoDOT and BNSF, or CPKC, or whoever owns the tracks the bridge goes over, and the schedule for when MoDOT can access the area around the tracks for demo work has been on the calendar for quite a while now. 

[mvak36]

I guess since they closed this earlier than they were originally planning, could they start some of the work as soon as the contractor gets Notice to Proceed? Something like starting the demolition this spring or summer instead of waiting until after the World Cup.

Probably some of it, but I have a feeling there were lots of long and tense meetings between MoDOT and BNSF, or CPKC, or whoever owns the tracks the bridge goes over, and the schedule for when MoDOT can access the area around the tracks for demo work has been on the calendar for quite a while now. 

That's fair. I forgot how hard the railroad companies are to work with on projects like these. We have to deal with them very rarely in my line of work but it's not fun when we do.

[rte66man]

I guess since they closed this earlier than they were originally planning, could they start some of the work as soon as the contractor gets Notice to Proceed? Something like starting the demolition this spring or summer instead of waiting until after the World Cup.

Probably some of it, but I have a feeling there were lots of long and tense meetings between MoDOT and BNSF, or CPKC, or whoever owns the tracks the bridge goes over, and the schedule for when MoDOT can access the area around the tracks for demo work has been on the calendar for quite a while now. 

Murray Yard is a BNSF facility.

[Plutonic Panda]

As part of the improve 70 project(which I'm surprised doesn't have its own dedicated thread) more truck parking will also be added:

https://www.komu.com/news/state/modot-to-revamp-interstate-70s-truck-parking-to-expand-availability/article_04a3cd8a-a49c-4e44-9741-304eb39382a1.html

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ghyimpkGbf4sSR58A?g_st=ac

Was noticing that new signage on the Buck O Neil Bridge ignores US 169 SB.

Then it gets worse.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2p8r79tUYLEb2bcy9?g_st=ac

Ramp signage for I-70 WB doesn't include US 169 SB either.

[Sani]

Maybe they were taking a cue from their colleagues a mile to the west and decided not to put non-Interstate routes on BGSes, although that wouldn't explain why U.S. 24 shows up in your first example.

[roadman65]

Maybe they were taking a cue from their colleagues a mile to the west and decided not to put non-Interstate routes on BGSes, although that wouldn't explain why U.S. 24 shows up in your first example.

US 24, although an important E-W route through the area, is second to trailblazing an actual route using the freeway here.  US 169 should be signed before US 24 is.  Plus the second example is not a BGS, but a shield assembly and Kansas does sign non interstate routes on shield assemblies.  Only CO, NM, AR, and parts of Texas ignore non interstates concurrent with actual interstates.  KDOT somewhat signs them at least.

[kphoger]

I don't know if this is a popular or unpopular opinion on here, but I think every route should be signed everywhere—no omitted shields for any reason.  If a particular route doesn't need to be signed, then it doesn't need to be numbered there in the first place.  If it does deserve to be numbered, then it deserves to be signed.

[Rothman]

I don't know if this is a popular or unpopular opinion on here, but I think every route should be signed everywhere—no omitted shields for any reason.  If a particular route doesn't need to be signed, then it doesn't need to be numbered there in the first place.  If it does deserve to be numbered, then it deserves to be signed.

Not sure I'd want full NY shields out there for all NYSDOT reference routes...