MoDOT seeks feedback for I-44 study

The Missouri Department of Transportation is calling for public input on its corridor study of Interstate 44 in advance of planned upgrades.

Residents can provide feedback for the environmental study, called Forward 44, at a series of public meetings this summer, according to a news release.

A 4:30 p.m. July 25 meeting is being held in Springfield at Crossway Baptist Church, 2900 N. Barnes Ave., and Aug. 14 is the date for a 4 p.m. meeting in Lebanon at the Wallace Center, 325 Harwood Ave. Other meetings are in St. Clair, Rolla and Joplin.

“I-44 continues to be one of Missouri’s most important corridors for passenger travel and commercial trucking. This study is the first step in preparing for future projects along this interstate,” said Greg Chapman, MoDOT assistant southwest district engineer and lead for the Forward 44 study, in the release. “Getting input from the public who travel the roadway daily will help identify areas of concern and can assist MoDOT with improving safety and mobility for generations to come.”

Funding for the $20 million I-44 study was included in Gov. Mike Parson's fiscal 2024 budget, according to past reporting. For fiscal 2025, Parson's recently signed budget has $577.5 million for I-44 work from St. Louis to Joplin.

Earlier this year, MoDOT selected Kansas City-based Hg Consult Inc. and Little Rock, Arkansas-based Garver as consulting firms for the I-44 study, according to past reporting.