01/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/20/2026 16:12
MoDOT Southwest District - The Missouri Department of Transportation has received Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from the teams interested in competing for the contract to design and construct MoDOT's Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project. Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project is a $471 million fixed-cost contract that includes enhancements at multiple locations along I-44, spanning from Newton County to Laclede County. This project is one of several projects that will improve the I-44 corridor across the state.
This $471 million project includes $328 million in General Revenue funding provided by the General Assembly and approved by the governor. This work is part of a larger effort to study and bring improvements to I-44. For the latest on work happening along the corridor, visit the Forward 44 website: Forward 44 | Missouri Department of Transportation.
The pre-qualified teams are as follows:
MoDOT will issue the Request for Proposals in January 2026 to these teams to work through the development of their Design-Build proposals for the project. The department will work through the procurement process with these teams, who will submit their proposal for the potential selection of the winning contract in Spring 2026. Construction could start as early as Fall 2026. There are still opportunities for additional consultants and subcontracting firms to be added to each team.
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 project goals are as follows:
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(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest)
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