The Missouri Department of Transportation announced early steps in planning for the fourth project of the Improve I-70 Program — and the second in mid-Missouri.

The project will build a third lane of traffic on Interstate 70 while improving pavement, bridges, interchanges to provide better traffic flow. Construction could begin as early as spring 2026, according to a news release from MoDOT.

The department says three prequalified teams will be designing and submitting their plans for the 13-mile stretch of I-70 from the Rocheport Bridge to U.S. 63 in Columbia by December 2025.

MoDOT says the project will cost $425 million and is part of the larger project to build a third lane of I-70 from Blue Springs to Wentzville.

The state has allocated $2.8 billion in general revenue to cover the

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