Kansas City, Missouri – For drivers who regularly move between downtown Kansas City and the stadium area, one of the biggest traffic changes of 2027 is already approaching. An approximately 11-month closure of a major stretch of Interstate 70 is scheduled to begin in January, and transportation officials want residents and businesses to start preparing months in advance.
Before construction shuts down both directions of the interstate, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold a public information session on Tuesday, Oct. 6, giving people a chance to see proposed detours, review the project timeline and speak directly with members of the project team.
The session will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 John “Buck” O’Neil Way in Kansas City. The event will be organized as an open house, meaning attendees can arrive at any point during the two-hour period rather than attending a formal presentation.
Read also: Kansas City pilot program gives 15 to 20 court participants tools to launch their own companies
The upcoming project will require the full closure of I-70 eastbound and westbound between Van Brunt Boulevard and Prospect Avenue. The closure is scheduled to begin Jan. 11, 2027, weather permitting, and is expected to remain in place for approximately 11 months.
That timeline makes advance planning especially important for people who commute through the corridor, work nearby, operate businesses in the area or live in surrounding communities.
During the Oct. 6 meeting, attendees will be able to learn more about when different parts of the project are expected to occur and review suggested detour routes for getting around the closed section of interstate.
Project team members will also be available to answer questions and hear concerns from the public. MoDOT plans to provide resources intended to help drivers, workers, residents and businesses prepare their travel plans before the closure takes effect.
With the shutdown lasting most of 2027, the public session provides an early opportunity for people who depend on the corridor to understand how their normal routes could change before construction begins.
MoDOT said it is committed to providing access to the event for all participants. Additional information about the closure and preparation for the project is available through the department’s project resources.
