Groundbreaking ceremony held for Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport project

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), alongside team members from Capital Paving & Construction, and Burns & McDonnell, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, April 3. Joined by federal, state, and local elected officials and leaders, the ceremony kicked off construction of MoDOT's fifth Improve I-70 project, Boonville to Rocheport.

"The Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport project is another outstanding example of improvements for Missourians delivered by Missourians," said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. "To date, every Improve I-70 project has been awarded to Missouri contractors. These projects are being built by people who live here, work here, and raise their families here. They know firsthand the importance of this corridor and understand the difference these improvements will make for daily life and commerce."

Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport is the fifth in a series of projects that will add a third lane in each direction to I-70 and make other improvements across the state. It is a $104 million design-bid-build project that will add a third lane to I-70 in each direction for the 13-mile section between Missouri Route 5 in Boonville and the Lance Corporal Leon Deraps I-70 Missouri River (Rocheport) Bridge. This project also includes plans to widen two I-70 bridges, one over the Union Pacific Railroad at mile markers 113, and one just west of the Lance Corporal Leon Deraps I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport.

Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport was designed by Burns & McDonnell and was awarded in February 2026 to Capital Paving & Construction. It is the first project of the Improve I-70 Program to be delivered through the traditional design-bid-build process. In design-bid-build procurement, designs are completed before the plans are provided to contractors for bid. The lowest responsive bidder wins the construction contract.

"We recognize that this project - and the Improve I-70 efforts - will create challenges for motorists," explained Capital Paving & Construction representative Drew Leary. "That's why Capital Paving & Construction is committed to keeping those impacts as minimal as possible, including maintaining two lanes of traffic along I-70 during peak travel times. To keep everyone moving safely, we ask that the traveling public work with us throughout the work zone by following the posted speed limits and eliminating distractions behind the wheel."

By summer 2026, three Improve I-70 Program projects will be underway in central Missouri, between Boonville and Kingdom City. While two lanes of travel will be open along I-70 during peak travel times, motorists can anticipate reduced speed limits and narrowed lanes across the state. Motorists are urged to drive the posted speed limit, eliminate distractions, and allow for extra time.

Missouri's FY2024 budget, approved through the state legislative process and signed into law by the governor, provides $2.8 billion in General Revenue to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville. For more information on the Improve I-70 Program and to sign up for program e-mails, visit http://www.modot.org/improvei70 .

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org . To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates .

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