MoDOT seeking public input on plans to improve I-44

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is looking to move forward with major upgrades to Interstate 44.

The agency is seeking the public’s input on its plans to upgrade more than 250 miles of highway running across the state.

MoDOT has five meetings planned in towns along I-44, including in Springfield. Gregory Chapman is the assistant district engineer for MoDOT and says that having events like this are critical to the success of future projects.

“We want to try to prioritize future study segments,” Chapman said. “You know, if and when we get additional funds, we’ll know how to make really good decisions with respect to utilizing those funds.”

Chapman said the department has narrowed down some of the main concerns.

“With respect to the feedback, some of the, some of the things that we are hearing is the congestion,” said Chapman. “Kind of the number one concern for our customers. The next thing that is showing up is the safety concerns. Our customers are focused on the safety record as well. And then the third thing that we are seeing from our customers is this concern over the growing freight traffic, which I-44 is growing extremely fast.”

The interstate, which runs from the Oklahoma state line to the St. Louis County line, was built in 1966 but a study done in 2008 showed work needed to be done.

Those who came to the meeting tonight were able to speak with officials. Austin Hostettler is a civil engineer in Springfield and says he enjoys looking into roadwork projects like this.

“So roadway projects are kind of my life, really. So yeah, I just want to be able to provide input and see what’s going on,” Hostettler said.

Since the interstate runs through the northern part of Springfield, Hostettler says he’s excited for the growth that part of the city will see.

“And quite frankly, the north side of Springfield, it really needs improvement, lots of improvements on highways have been made all around Springfield in other areas. 44 is kind of last region,” he said.

MoDOT will be accepting any questions, comments or concerns on their website until Aug. 21.

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