I70 is much improved

When I first moved to the area in the fall of 2002, I was amazed about at the poor condition of I70, especially a section where there were actually ruts in the asphalt, something normally never seen on interstate highways. I can't remember exactly where it was, I think it might have been near Blue Ridge Mall going eastbound.

Anyhow, the section from downtown to near 435 was paved with new asphalt, and the area from Blue Ridge to I470 is getting the same treatment and so far it is pretty nice. The area around the 435 interchange was partially last year and the rest is being done this year.

In addition to that, I70 is being totally rebuilt from I470 to Missouri 7, and the new eastbound lanes (currently carrying 2 lanes of traffic in each direction) are very nice. So good job (for a change) to MODOT. You guys still drive me nuts with your unnanounced ramp closures but at least the roads are getting better.

I635 closing just adds to traffic woes

KDOT just closed the I635 bridge over the missouri river, adding more traffic to the Broadway, Fairfax and Platte bridges. This is additon to the much larger burden that was added a couple of months ago when the Paseo bridge was closed over the mighty mud. I know some have been pretty pissed about both bridges being closed at the same time, but it sounds like it would have cost KDOT several million to postpone the work for another year and the Paseo bridge closing could not have been put off any longer either. Now if they could just nail down funding for a new span to replace or more likely to supplant the Paseo I would be happy.

Can't wait to see the pricetag on that though, it will be huge.