Jacobs, WSP, Millstone Weber Land $583M Missouri I-70 Widening
A Jacobs, WSP and Millstone Weber joint venture will add a third lane each way across 44 miles of Missouri’s I-70 in a $583 million design-build deal, Construction Dive reports.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission announced the pick on Nov. 5. The corridor runs from Kingdom City to Warrenton. Millstone Weber is the contractor, Jacobs is the designer and WSP is a key partner. The team is still negotiating final contract details. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, with completion expected in late 2030.
Market Impact
Beyond the added lanes, Missouri DOT says the scope includes full-depth concrete replacement of all existing I-70 pavement between the two cities. The team will replace three bridges and rehabilitate six more. It will also add a fourth eastbound climbing lane at Mineola Hill and redesign the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing at High Hill.
This is the sixth award in a series meant to improve nearly 200 miles of I-70 from Blue Springs to Wentzville. Missouri’s fiscal year 2024 budget included $2.8 billion for a third lane across the state. “With this award, six out of eight expansion projects are now moving forward in this historic $2.8 billion investment,” MHTC Chairman Warren Erdman said in the announcement. That leaves two expansion projects still to move forward. Separately, the St. Louis Airport Corridor job on another I-70 segment received $42.1 million in federal funding last month. Missouri also recently passed legislation expanding progressive design-build to all state agencies.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Size the pool. $583 million over 44 miles works out to roughly $13.25 million per corridor mile. That figure includes design, management and self-performed work, so the subcontract share is smaller. No breakdown has been released.
- Target the JV, not MoDOT. The contractor is Millstone Weber, so paving, grading, drainage, ITS and traffic-control subs should approach its preconstruction team along with the Jacobs/WSP design side. No subcontractor portal or bid dates have been announced. Outreach should happen before the first-half 2027 start, ideally in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027 while the contract is being finalized. These trades are our inference from the scope, not a package list from MoDOT.
- Concrete paving and earthwork firms. Full-depth concrete replacement of all pavement between Kingdom City and Warrenton is the biggest quantity driver. The Mineola Hill climbing lane adds grading work on a hill section.
- Bridge and structures crews. Nine structures are in play: three replacements and six rehabilitations. Demolition, deck, rebar and girder subs should be ready to bid in 2027.
- Rail-adjacent work. The High Hill redesign involves the Norfolk Southern crossing. Flagging, track and utility-relocation specialists with railroad experience should look at this scope early. Timing and responsibilities have not been announced.
- Don’t stop at this award. Two of the eight expansion projects remain, and the remaining locations have not been identified. Check MoDOT’s Improve I-70 program page for those procurements. Teaming with a prime now helps if a second package follows the same delivery model.
