Motorists traveling westbound on Interstate 70 should expect a traffic shift later this month as construction continues on the Improve I-70 Project from Boonville to Rocheport.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and its contractor are currently planning to shift westbound I-70 traffic into the newly constructed lanes overnight during next week, according to a news release from MoDOT. These lanes were constructed in the median between east and westbound traffic. An exact date for the traffic shift will be announced once the schedule is finalized.
With the new third lane of traffic completed on the westernmost portion of the project, westbound traffic will shift onto the new lanes from west of Missouri Route 5 (Exit 101) at Boonville to east of Missouri Route 87.
As part of the traffic switch, ramps at exits 101, 103 (Cooper County Route B) and 106 (Missouri Route 87) will be closed temporarily to allow crews to adjust for pavement height differences between the new lanes and existing lanes, and to safely move traffic into the new configuration. The pavement height difference at each ramp will determine the length of the ramp closures, though all are expected to reopen within 1-2 days after the traffic shift.
Eastbound I-70 traffic will remain in its current configuration and eastbound exits are expected to remain open.
The westbound rest area will also be affected by the traffic switch. The rest area is expected to close up to two days before the traffic switch to ensure that all vehicles are cleared prior to the configuration changes. Signs placed at the rest area will alert motorists of the planned closure.
Additional information about specific ramp and crossover closures, as well as the exact date and timing of the traffic switch, will be provided as the schedule is finalized.
All work is weather-permitting and subject to change.