Major traffic delays expected when I-70 in Kansas City shuts down for a weekend

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced that they will be closing down a stretch of I-70 in the metro Kansas City area for a weekend in June.

I-70 will be shut down in both directions between I- 470 and I-435 starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8. I-70 will reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, June 11. MoDOT says that drivers will be detoured onto I-470 and I-435 during the road closure.

The road closure is to allow for the demolition of the Crysler Avenue, Pittman Road, and Phelps Road bridges over I-70.

MoDOT warns that the road closure is expected to have a significant impact on traffic and they urge drivers to seek alternate routes.

Ramp closures associated with the I-70 shutdown are listed as follows.

• Eastbound I-70 ramp closures include:
  • Manchester Trafficway to eastbound I-70.
  • Northbound and southbound I-435 ramps to eastbound I-70.
  • Blue Ridge Cutoff ramp to eastbound I-70.
  • Highway 40 ramp to eastbound I-70.
  • Blue Ridge Blvd. Ramp to eastbound I-70.
  • Noland Road ramp to eastbound I-70.
• Westbound I-70 ramp closures include:
  • Northbound and southbound I-470/Route 291 ramps to westbound I-70.
  • Lee’s Summit Road ramp to westbound I-70.
  • Noland Road ramp to westbound I-70.
  • Highway 40 ramp to westbound I-70.
  • Eastbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane from Manchester Trafficway to Blue Ridge Cutoff. Any traffic that does not follow the detour onto southbound I-435 will be moved off at Blue Ridge Cutoff.
  • Westbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane before the Route 291 and the I-470 interchange. All traffic will be routed onto southbound Route 291/I-470.
  • Southbound Route 291 just north of I-70 will be reduced to one lane to accommodate merging traffic from westbound I-70.

  MoDOT is advising drivers to stay off of their phones, to plan ahead, and to use the zipper merge.