MoDOT to improve I-44 across multiple counties

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation held a public meeting for drivers to learn about a multi-million dollar improvement project for Interstate 44 and provide their feedback. 

Kristi Bachman, the project director of I-44 for the southwest district of MoDOT, said this is the first step of the process with many more to come. 

"We currently have construction happening on I-40 between Kansas Expressway and 65. This is kind of that next phase," said Bachman. "We received additional funding. We plan to deliver a design-build project, awarding that in the spring/summer of 2026. We're really excited about it."

The $472 million project will include improvements that span the entire district, from Newton County, Jasper County, Lawrence County, Greene County, Webster County and into Laclede County.

Bachman said the design-build team will be proposing a plan that aims to improve traffic flow on the interstate and reduce crashes, while taking semi-truck traffic into account.

Fred Ackley is a part of the Doling neighborhood association. He said he came to the meeting to learn more about how potential plans for I-44 will impact his neighborhood and improve traffic. 

"It's interesting to see all these boards and what their plans are. The three-lane interstate that they'll be running through Springfield is what I was hoping to learn more about tonight. And they've got an underground walkway between Doling Park and Norton Road in the planning of all of it as well," said Ackley. "I live right over here in the Doling Park area. So this all affects me, my family and the neighborhood that I'm part of."

Bauchman said the goal of the meeting was to receive feedback and take note of where the problem areas are along I-44.

"We want to show drivers the locations where we do have planned improvements, and get their feedback," said Bachman. "If they are having issues in an area that we might not be aware of, they can share that."

Ackley said he's noticed the biggest traffic issues where I-44 intersects with other highly traveled roads.

"Some of the heavy traffic that we get and figuring out how the interchanges work, because I work over here just north of Highway 13 and I-44, and it's been pretty hairy at times with the amount of traffic that they get at the intersection. It can back up traffic," said Ackley.

If you were unable to attend the I-44 meeting, you can find information and leave your comments by visiting modot.org.