Current I-229 plans to remove four Downtown St. Joseph access points, officials express economic concern

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph City officials said they are continuing to collaborate with the Missouri Department of Transportation as plans move forward for the reconstruction of Interstate 229.

City staff and elected officials were recently invited to review MoDOT's bridge proposal, which is still in the planning stages and is expected to be presented to the Missouri Highway Commission for consideration.

The proposal would redesignate the current interstate corridor as a four-lane, mostly at-grade roadway, replacing the existing double-decker bridges Downtown.

According to MoDOT and the City, the 43-year-old double-decker bridge has shown signs of deterioration and requires ongoing maintenance. The structure was originally built with an expected service life of about 50 years.

City officials said they are particularly focused on the impact on Downtown accessibility and economic development.

The current interstate includes four access points connecting motorists to Downtown, including Charles, Edmond, Felix and Francis streets.

Under the concept being reviewed, the four Downtown entrances and exits would be removed. Access would instead occur from interchanges near St. Joseph Avenue to the north and Fourth Street to the south, requiring traffic to travel on two-lane city streets to reach Downtown destinations.

While the City said it is continuing to collaborate and support MoDOT through the planning stages, officials said access into and out of Downtown is vital to supporting existing businesses, encouraging continued investment and ensuring long-term economic growth in the city's urban core.

"We support MoDOT's efforts to modernize this important transportation corridor and agree that the community needs a safe, reliable roadway that will serve St. Joseph well into the future," City Manager Mike Schumacher said. "We also recognize that direct access to Downtown is critical to the success of our businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and future development opportunities and strongly hope to see that added to the state's plans for this project as they continue to evolve."

The City said, in addition to economic concerns, it is evaluating the potential transportation impacts associated with rerouting an estimated 9,000 vehicles per day, which includes heavy truck traffic on existing two-lane city streets if access to the new roadway is only to the north and south of Downtown.

Officials are concerned this could place additional strain on local infrastructure and create new traffic challenges in surrounding neighborhoods and business districts.

"Downtown access is not simply a transportation issue; it is also an economic development issue," said Schumacher. "Maintaining convenient entrance and exit points into the Downtown area is essential to supporting existing business, attracting new investment and ensuring long-term prosperity for the entire community."

Stakeholders and members of the public will have opportunities to provide input on the proposal during MoDOT meetings, which are expected later this summer.

The project is currently estimated to be $120 million, with construction proposed to begin in 2028.

It is ultimately up to the Missouri Highway Commission to determine whether to proceed with MoDOT's current design. Any de-designation of Interstate 229 would also require approval by the U.S. Congress.