Public meeting to explain details of this project and gather citizen input.

Kansas City, MO - infoZine - MoDOT will take the first steps to remove a major bottleneck on I-70 at I-435 next year by applying federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and state funds to fix one of the Kansas City area’s most congested interchanges. All elements of this construction project will enable MoDOT to add a third lane in each direction of I-70 and prepare for eventual corridor improvements.

MoDOT has scheduled an open-house public meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Vatterott College, 8955 East 38th Terr., Kansas City, Mo. to explain details of this project and gather citizen input. There will be no formal presentation; you may come and go as you please during the meeting.

MoDOT wants your opinion. Engineers, planners and designers will be available to discuss with you the elements of this design, including these features:

• Addition of a half-diamond interchange at I-435 and Route 40
  
• Replacement of the Blue Ridge Cutoff (George Brett) Bridge over I-70 with a wider, broader span that will include a wider sidewalk and reconfigured ramps
  
• Reconfiguring the ramps at I-70 and Route 40
  
• Reconfiguring the ramp from northbound I-435 to eastbound I-70 with a direct connection to the Blue Ridge Cutoff
  
• Addition of a third through-lane on both eastbound and westbound I-70 beneath I-435
  
• Removal of the ramps at Manchester Trafficway and I-70

These improvements will begin early in 2010 and completed by the end of 2012. The latest displays and a summary of this project are also available on MoDOT’s Web site at www.modot.org/kansascity/major_projects/i70_i435.htm .