The I-470/US 50/MO 350 Interchange is the only major freeway-to-freeway junction in the southeastern metropolitan area. Originally designed and built in the late 1970’s, this cloverleaf interchange was able to adequately serve Lee’s Summit’s limited suburban growth until the mid 1980’s.  Near the end of the 1980’s, a surge in residential development began to outpace business growth, which produced unexpectedly large numbers of commuters using the interchange to travel to workplaces in other cities while still enjoying the benefits of residing in Lee’s Summit.  The resulting rush hour traffic volumes for the directional and loop ramps began to exceed accepted levels of service for interstate facilities, as increasing congestion at the interchange became an increasing source of frustration for motorists.

Responding to the growing congestion problems at the interchange in the mid-to-late 1990’s, the City of Lee’s Summit conducted traffic impact studies in 1999 for the Lee’s Summit Technology Campus and the proposed Summit Woods Crossing Retail Center development, both sites located near the I-470/ U.S.50/MO 350 interchange.  Data obtained from this study, combined with data provided by the US 50 Corridor Study, led both City and MoDOT officials to conclude that significant interchange modifications were needed to address current congestion problems at the interchange, and improve access for the extensive retail and commercial business development that was occurring in the vicinity of the interchange.

After evaluating numerous traffic models, planning data and public feedback related to proposed solutions for the I-470/US 50/MO 350 Interchange, a cost-share partnership was established between the City of Lee’s Summit and MoDOT in 2004 to implement design and construction of the agreed-upon improvements.  A Design Consultant Team was selected and hired in 2005 to perform the design work and develop contract documents for the interchange improvements, the first project of which was advertised and let for construction in June 2007.