MODOT Warren Montgomery Co I-70

Project Overview

The MoDOT Warren Montgomery Co. I-70 project was a comprehensive pavement rehabilitation effort designed to improve ride quality and extend the life of Missouri’s busiest transportation corridor. Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) was selected by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to deliver ten miles of rehabilitated roadway in just two months.

As the general contractor, ESS performed approximately 369,000 square yards of cold milling, 298,000 square yards of pavement grooving and placed over 40,500 tons of asphalt. This work was completed solely during nighttime operations to minimize traffic disruptions and maintain the flow of vehicles through the area. Working strictly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. required enhanced safety precautions like light towers, balloon lighting for equipment and detailed traffic control plans.

The site’s proximity to other ongoing projects made collaboration between all parties essential. While an additional ESS crew worked nearby on bridge construction at the Truxton and Jonesburg (Route A) exits, the team maintained close coordination to ensure both projects safely continued operations. At the eastern end of the jobsite, another ESS-led effort to rebuild I-70 was underway. Consistent communication with this team ensured both crews upheld safe working distances, with two to three miles of separation for proper traffic control. By maintaining clear expectations and mutual respect for the crew’s workspace, each project progressed efficiently and without conflict.

The project initially called for the installation of a layer of Ultra-Thin Bonded Asphalt Wearing Surface (UBAWS). However, through collaboration and value engineering, the team proposed an alternative solution that replaced the UBAWS with surface grooving. This effort maintained the project’s safety and performance standards while delivering significant cost savings for MoDOT.

Completed in October 2025, ESS is proud to have delivered ten miles of smoother, safer roadway for I-70 commuters and the Montgomery County community.