Expect Major Delays and Lane/Loop Ramp Closures

The Missouri Department of Transportation in Kansas City will begin traffic control work ahead of bridge repairs along north and southbound I-470/Route 291 between East 39^th Street and the Little Blue River bridge just south of U.S. 40 beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, until Monday, Aug. 13.

Beginning on Aug. 13, this portion of I-470/Route 291 will be reduced to ONE LANE in each direction. Crews will begin bridge repairs at the I-470 and I-70 interchange, I-470 and U.S. Route 40, and the Little Blue River bridges on I-470. This work will have major impacts to traffic with delays as long as 75 minutes during peak travel times. All work is weather permitting.

• Beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, until 5 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, there will be intermittent lane closures along north and southbound I-470 between East 39^th Street at the Little Blue River just south of U.S. 40 for pavement marking removal.
  • There will also be intermittent lane closures along westbound East 39^th Street between Viking Drive and Arrowhead Avenue during this time.
• Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, crews will have intermittent lane closures along north and southbound I-470/Route 291 for striping and barrier work until Mondaymorning, Aug. 13.
• By Monday morning, Aug. 13, crews will have closed the outside (right) lane of both north and southbound I-470/Route 291 between East 39^th Street and the Little Blue River bridge until approximately early September.
• Motorists should expect that ALL loop ramps at this interchange to and from both I-70 and I-470/Route 291 will be closed as early as Friday, Aug. 10, until approximately early September. This includes:
  • The ramp from westbound I-70 onto southbound I-470 will be CLOSED.
    • Suggested detour: Take the ramp for northbound Route 291.  Take the 39^th Street exit and make a U-Turn to get back onto southbound I-470.
  • The ramp from eastbound I-70 onto northbound I-470 will be CLOSED.
    • Suggested detour: Head to Blue Parkway and make a U-Turn to get back onto westbound I-70 and then take the northbound Route 291 exit.
  • The ramp from northbound I-470 onto westbound I-70 will be CLOSED.
    • Suggested detour: Use 39^th Street as a U-Turn and then take the exit for westbound I-70.
  • The ramp from southbound Route 291 onto eastbound I-70 will be CLOSED.
    • Suggested detour: Take the ramp for westbound I-70 to Lee’s Summit Road. Make a U-Turn to get back onto eastbound I-470.

Try to avoid the area if possible. If you must travel this way, plan ahead and leave early. Without any incidents, backups are anticipated to reach up to 75 minutes during peak travel times. Be patient and courteous to fellow motorists and crews.

Use the zipper merge and take turns at the merge points.  This is the final phase of an extensive bridge rehabilitation project along I-470 that began in spring 2017. Learn more about the project here. Please remember that all work zones are NO PHONE zones. Buckle up. Phone down. Arrive Alive.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.