Company that designed the I-470 ramp that collapsed now faces similar problems in Wisconsin

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - About 60,000 drivers use the Interstate 470 ramp every day, so it’s a good thing the Missouri Department of Transportation shut it down before its collapse back in July.

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HNTB, the corporation behind the design of the I-470 ramp that collapsed, now faces similar problems in Wisconsin.

Workers of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation discovered cracks in one of the columns supporting the on-ramp to southbound I-43.

We also uncovered reports of a similar situation with HNTB’s design work on the Wakota Bridge in Minnesota.

The company reached a $20-million settlement with Minnesota’s Department of Transportation to resolve the issue.

I called HNTB’s Kansas City office for comment and officials wouldn’t talk on camera.

The public relations manager sent me this statement:

"HNTB is fully engaged with Wisconsin Department of Transportation to implement an appropriate solution to the bridge pier issue as quickly as possible. The firm has a long-standing history of quality and service to the Department and we are committed to providing an appropriate solution,” said Sara J. Prem of HNTB.

MoDOT said it has no comment on HNTB’s history of design flaws.

The total cost to complete the I-470 project was $4.5 million.