en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has selected the Capital-CMT team as the best-value bidder for the $471 million "Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvement Project," one of the state's largest highway modernization efforts.

This design-build project will transform Interstate 44 across southwestern Missouri, extending from the Joplin area near the Oklahoma border eastward to Laclede County near Lebanon. The scope includes major interchange reconstruction, highway widening, bridge work, and pavement upgrades along the freight corridor.

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Warren Erdman said the selection represents a significant step forward for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). He added in a statement that the work will continue to seek innovative opportunities to deliver major projects with maximum value, serving Missouri citizens for years to come.

The winning team includes contractor Capital Paving & Construction LLC and design firm Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. The commission selected the proposal from four competing teams, which included the Ames Millstone Weber Joint Venture, the ESS Team, and the MasTec DB Team. According to MoDOT, all four teams submitted strong proposals, but Capital-CMT stood out by exceeding project goals in every evaluation category, including geometric design, safety, operations, pavement, structures, traffic maintenance, and schedule.

Interstate 44 connects Joplin, Springfield, Rolla, and St. Louis. MoDOT describes the highway as a critical commercial corridor, linking with Interstate 40 and carrying commuter, recreational, and freight traffic. According to the agency's procurement documents, trucks account for more than 30% of traffic on some sections of the corridor.

According to state documents, contract negotiations are underway, with construction expected to begin later this year and completion scheduled by November 15, 2031. The scope includes reconstructing the I-44/I-49 interchange near Fidelity and the I-44/Missouri Route 13 interchange in Springfield, widening portions of I-44 in the Springfield area to six lanes, improving pavement and safety in Greene County, Webster County, and Laclede County, improving bridges on Springfield's EE Highway, and pavement work in Lawrence County.

MoDOT stated that the Capital-CMT team proposed significant upgrades to the two major interchanges. Kristi Bachman, Southwest I-44 Project Director, said in an email response to Engineering News-Record (ENR) that a key advantage of the I-44/MO 13 interchange is the separation of local traffic from through traffic, which will maintain excellent operations well beyond the design life.

The project is part of MoDOT's broader "Forward 44" initiative, aimed at addressing capacity, safety, and infrastructure needs along the interstate corridor. State legislators allocated $20 million in fiscal year 2024 for environmental studies on I-44, followed by over $577 million approved in fiscal year 2025 for corridor improvements. The Southwest I-44 Improvement Project includes $328 million in state general revenue appropriations and $143 million in state transportation improvement program funds.

Kevin Peart, Chief Operating Officer of Capital, said in a statement that the team looks forward to building a safer, more resilient corridor that enhances connectivity and serves the region for decades to come. The team also proposed constructing 15 miles of new six-lane pavement in the Springfield area using Highly Modified (HiMod) asphalt. According to MoDOT, combined with independent widening work already underway, these improvements will create 20 continuous miles of six-lane I-44 in this area.

According to MoDOT, current traffic volumes on the corridor range from approximately 47,000 vehicles per day in Newton County to nearly 55,000 vehicles per day in Greene County. The department projects significant growth by 2050 and notes the need to modernize infrastructure built decades ago to accommodate future demand. The project will be delivered using a design-build approach. MoDOT stated that this method allows work to proceed simultaneously, shortening the project timeline and improving efficiency.

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