Capital-CMT Team Selected for $471M Missouri I-44 Design-Build Freight Corridor Project
According to Engineering News-Record, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has selected the Capital-CMT Team as the best-value proposer for the $471 million Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project, one of the largest highway modernization efforts in the state’s history.
Project Scope and Key Players
The design-build contract covers Interstate 44 across southwest Missouri, stretching from the Joplin area near the Oklahoma border east to Laclede County near Lebanon. The work includes major interchange reconstructions, highway widening, bridge improvements, and pavement upgrades along a corridor that connects Joplin, Springfield, Rolla, and St. Louis.
The winning team pairs contractor Capital Paving & Construction LLC with designer Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. They were chosen from a field of four competing teams that also included Ames Millstone Weber Joint Venture, ESS Team, and MasTec DB Team. Commission Chairman Warren Erdman called the selection a “major step forward,” adding that the effort “continues to look at innovative opportunities to deliver major projects with the greatest value to serve the citizens of Missouri for many years to come.” According to MoDOT procurement documents, trucks account for more than 30% of traffic on portions of the corridor, underscoring its commercial importance.
Contract negotiations are currently underway, with construction expected to follow.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Bridge and paving work is coming. The scope explicitly includes bridge improvements and pavement upgrades, meaning specialty subcontractors in those trades should be watching for solicitations from Capital Paving & Construction LLC.
- Interchange reconstruction is a major component. Large-scale interchange rebuilds at locations like the I-44/Missouri 13 interchange in Springfield typically require grading, concrete, structural steel, and utility subcontractors across multiple packages.
- Four competing teams means wide sub interest. With Ames Millstone Weber, ESS Team, and MasTec DB Team all having pursued this work, subcontractors who built relationships during the bid phase should reach out to the winning team now that Capital-CMT has been selected.
- Negotiations are still active. Contract negotiations are underway, which means the subcontract solicitation window is likely still open. Early outreach to Capital Paving & Construction and Crawford, Murphy & Tilly can position firms ahead of formal procurement.
