Documentary?
Sounds more like a horror movie.
Except there’s no “not for me” option available for this one.
It’s a trend, we get it.
What’s a little harder to grasp is the reality that Interstate 70 in Kansas City, Mo., between Prospect Avenue and Van Brunt Boulevard, is scheduled to be closed to all traffic for basically all of 2027.
Adding a fourth eastbound lane between Prospect Avenue and Manchester Avenue, replacing 15 bridges, rehabilitating seven other bridges and additional road work will improve reliability, safety, infrastructure and community connectivity, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Approximately 120,000 vehicles per day, including 13,000-14,000 trucks, travel this stretch of I-70.
Sounds like it’s going to be a very long year for those drivers, who are being encouraged to use Interstates 29, 35, 435, 635 and U.S. Highway 71 to navigate the closure.
Fortunately, “nearly all” streets crossing I-70 will be open during construction, MoDOT said.
So, there’s that.
The Missouri Department of Transportation estimates that 70% of trucks traveling on I-70 in the state are long-haul.
During this closure, traffic moving through the Kansas City area will be diverted to I-435 and Interstate 470 to loop south of the closure.
Overhead message boards will direct drivers to this route, while GPS and other navigation tools can provide the best route based on destination, MoDOT said.
Just don’t do what this driver did.
“MoDOT recognizes this closure of I-70 will have significant impacts to regional traffic,” state transportation officials said. “However, closing I-70 will allow the mainline I-70 work to be completed significantly faster than if the work was done under typical staged construction.”
State transportation officials added that closing I-70 for this project will maximize safety and minimize overall inconveniences.
A full list of alternative routes can be found on the MoDOT website.
Real-time traffic information is also available on this Land Line resources page.
How and why the Improve I-70 Kansas City project is completed in the manner that it is can and will be debated.
Frustration, confusion and dread are all understandable.
Several businesses along this stretch of I-70 told local media they weren’t overly concerned and that their customers would “find a way.”
Still, the countdown clock on the project website might be the ultimate gut punch.
This isn’t New Year’s, buddy. LL
More Land Line news from Missouri.
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