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Improve 70 Alliance receives largest MoDOT project in history
Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) is helping make history in Missouri as part of the Improve 70 Alliance Joint Venture. Our employee-owners landed a huge $600-million fixed-cost contract, which is the biggest project ever for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) history. As part of MoDOT’s Improve I-70 Program, the Improve 70 Alliance Joint Venture is excited to work on the Warrenton to Wentzville, St. Charles & Warren Counties Design-Build Project.
The Improve 70 Alliance is a Joint Venture between Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) and Clarkson Construction Company (Clarkson), in association with HNTB Corporation (HNTB) and Bartlett & West, Inc. (B&W). Each company has deep local roots and significant regional experience working on Missouri’s interstate system and the design-build project delivery process.
“Improve I-70 Alliance is honored to be awarded the largest project in the State’s history. This is a significant milestone for the State of Missouri as well as our companies,” said Robert Gillis, ESS co-chief executive officer. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring our deep local roots, significant regional experience and diverse workforce to deliver exceptional results for the taxpayers of Missouri.”
Our team’s combined experience was important to the winner selection. Over the past five years, ESS has constructed 117 Department of Transportation (DOT) projects worth more than $700 million. Clarkson has constructed 16 DOT projects worth more than $350M. Lead designer, HNTB, has been actively involved in alternative delivery for more than 20 years, delivering design-build solutions. B&W is a regional leader in transportation design, has previously completed design work to add lanes on I-70 at Mineola Hill, and is currently the lead designer on the Interstate 55 Corridor Upgrades design-build.
This project is one of several that will widen I-70 across the state. This portion of the I-70 program includes the following improvements:
- Constructing a third lane in each direction on I-70 from Warrenton to I-64 in Wentzville, including replacing the existing I-70 lanes and shoulders with new full-depth concrete pavement
- Interchange improvements at I-70 and I-64/Route 61
- Interchange and outer road improvements in Foristell, Wright City, Warrenton and Route Z
- Realignment at the railroad bridge on I-70 between Wentzville Parkway and Route Z
- Addition of a third lane of travel to eastbound and westbound I-64 between I-70 and Route K
As a team, we’re committed to keeping two lanes of travel open on I-70 in both directions during peak travel times. Employee-owners are excited to begin work as early as Spring 2025.
This I-70 improvement will benefit Missourians and the traveling public for generations to come. Providing a third east and westbound lane, as well as improving the I-70/I-64/61 interchange will improve mobility and provide economic development opportunities, including a safety improvement.
Kudos to our hard-working employee-owners who dedicated a lot of time, energy and coffee to winning this milestone project. Congratulations on bringing in the big win!