The stretch of westbound Interstate 70 that connects Kansas City, Missouri to Kansas City, Kansas will be closed for up to two years.
The closure is taking place in order for crews to tear down and replace a portion of the Lewis and Clark Viaduct, which is nearly “structurally deficient” according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The long-term westbound closure will begin on Sunday, February 4th, 2018, and the demolition of the viaduct will begin in March. The reconstruction will begin soon after.
Traffic heading west from Missouri into Kansas will need to take Interstate 670 in order to get around the closure. Traffic and detour signs have been placed near the closure in order to redirect drivers.
The eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 will be unaffected.
KSDot released the following detour information in a press release:
Westbound I-70 will be closed from the Broadway interchange in Kansas City, Missouri westward to the connections in downtown Kansas City, Kansas for the duration of the two-year construction period. The main detour route will use I-670 westbound and the secondary route will use I-35 southbound. To detour to Kansas City, Kansas, please use the Central Avenue Exit from I-670. To facilitate traffic operations using the Central Avenue Exit, a second lane will be added to the 3rd St./James St. Exit Ramp from I-70.
Kansas DOT says the biggest traffic issues will occur in the first few weeks, until drivers get used to the new routes.
“We just ask for patience, especially in the first few weeks as people are getting use to this,” KDOT’s Nicole Randall added. “After they get used to this for several weeks, I’m sure that its just going to be another normal day — just a little bit heavier traffic.”