Project Map:

• View the I-44 & Viaduct St. project map (1 page, 4 MB) (from the July 26, 2006 public meeting)

What Is Happening Now? (changes in bold)

• Construction on phase 1 is complete.

• As part of phase 2 construciton, MoDOT is proposing to reconstruct the south half of the Viaduct St. interchange including the relocation of the eastbound ramps approximately one half mile west of Viaduct St., and widen Osage St. from west of Lamar Parkway to east of Payne St.

• Construction on phase 2 is currently scheduled to begin in spring 2009. The estimated construction cost for the second phase of this project is $6.6 million. This project is funded by Amendment 3, which was approved by Missouri voters in November 2004. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2010.

Phase 1 Construction

• The project was awarded to Millstone, Bangert, Inc. for $21.7 million. Construction on Phase 1 is complete.

Where Does The Project Stand Today?

Phase 2 is funded.

Phase 2 will construct the south half of the interchange, widen Osage Street and construct the eastbound I-44 ramps. Phase 2 is funded by Amendment 3.

Phase 3 construction (construct the north half of the interchange, construct the westbound I-44 ramps and roundabout) is currently not funded.

What Are The Problems With The I-44 & Viaduct Street Interchange?

The south side ramps that intersect Osage Street are too close to Viaduct Street, causing congestion and making it very difficult for vehicles to access the interchange. Osage Street on the south side of the interchange and the outer road on the north side of the interchange are also very congested, which prevents traffic from traveling freely through the interchange.

What Is The Solution?

MoDOT is proposing to relocate the eastbound ramps at the I-44 and Viaduct Street interchange to the west of the existing interchange. This would provide more separation between I-44 and the south outer road and improve access to and from the interchange. Osage Street will be widened to five lanes between Lamar Parkway and Payne Street.

In order to improve congestion and safety on the north outer road (Hogan Street), MoDOT is proposing to construct a roundabout on the north side of the interchange. Thornton Street, Hogan Street, Viaduct Street and the ramps to and from westbound I-44 will converge at the roundabout. A roundabout is a one-way circular intersection where vehicles move in a counter-clockwise direction and all entering traffic yields to traffic already in the roundabout. Roundabouts reduce driver delay by allowing motorists to yield rather than stop. Accidents also decrease because conflict points (spots where vehicles could collide) are minimized and speed is lower compared to signalized intersections.

Estimated Project Cost:

Phase 2 Construction Cost: $6.6 million

Estimated construction cost to improve the I-44 and Viaduct Street interchange (Phases 1-3): $35 million

Project Timeline:

Phase 2 construction will start in spring 2009.

Construct the south half of the interchange, widen Osage Street and construct the eastbound I-44 ramps.

Late 2010

Phase 2 construction will be complete.

View the I-44 & Viaduct Street Interchange Maps.
** NOTE ** All three construction phase maps are shown. Clicking on a map will bring up a series of smaller maps that can again be clicked for greater detail. The various construction phases are described on this page.

Who do I contact for more information?

Contact MoDOT Area Engineer Judy Wagner at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636) or e-mail Judy.Wagner@modot.mo.gov

Contact MoDOT Project Manager Tom Montes de Oca at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636) or e-mail Thomas.Montes-DeOca@modot.mo.gov

Contact MoDOT Community Relations Specialist Kara Price at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636) or email Kara.Price@modot.mo.gov