LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- Work continues on I-470 as MoDOT crews work to repair three bridges in Lee's Summit.
Right now, westbound traffic has to shift over to the eastbound lanes, which has caused some backups during rush hour. Both directions are now down to two lanes each way.
"It's better to use the zipper merge and merge in right at the last moment and take turns, to be patient with each other and work with each other," said Jacob Wilson, a MoDOT Engineer.
On Monday, MoDOT gave a tour to the media to show the work being done on the Cedar Creek bridge. It's one of two bridges that need a full deck replacement. The other bridges being repaired right now include the View High bridge and the Little Blue River bridge.
Crews have run into several snags due to rain and heat, including bridge girders bending and twisting, slowing operations down.
The lane shift will be in place until mid to late November.
"Then in the winter time, I-470 will largely remain untouched, but beginning of the spring, near mid-March, we'll be back on the other side of these bridges and traffic will be switched onto this side of the roadway," said Wilson.
That means next year, eastbound lanes will be shifted onto the westbound lanes for 60 days.
MoDOT is working to repair 15 bridgesalong Interstate 470 by the end of next year.
The complete list of bridges scheduled for work include:
- KC Southern RR under the WB entrance ramp from Blue Ridge Blvd
- KS Southern RR under I-470
- Blue Ridge Blvd under I-470
- James A Reed Rd under I-470
- Little Blue River under I-470
- View High Drive under I-470
- Cedar Creek under I-470
- Bowlin Rd under NB I-470
- Lakewood Blvd under SB I-470
- Little Blue River under NB I-470
- Little Blue River under SB I-470
- US 40 under NB I-470
- US 40 under SB I-470
- I-70 under NB I-470
- I-70 under SB I-470
This project, which includes rehabilitation of 15 bridges and shoring up the shoulder along Interstate 470, is scheduled to be finished in November 2018.
