The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) officially kicked off the Forward 44 Southwest I-44 Improvements Project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 24, 2026, in Springfield, MO. The milestone marks the beginning of a major investment to enhance safety, mobility, and long-term reliability for communities, businesses, and travelers across the state.
The $471 million program consists of several segments and is part of a broader effort to maintain I-44’s role as a vital east-west freight corridor and a key route for economic growth.
It will deliver improvements at five key locations along the I-44 corridor, including:
- Major interchanges at I-44/I-49 N in Fidelity and I-44/MO 13 in Springfield;
- Widening to six lanes in the Greater Springfield Area;
- Pavement and safety improvements in Greene, Webster, and Laclede counties;
- Bridge improvements at Route EE in Springfield; and
- Pavement improvements in Lawrence County.
CMT is proud to serve on the Capital-CMT Team, selected by MoDOT as the Design-Build contractor for the project. Together, the project team will deliver critical infrastructure improvements that strengthen connectivity and support the communities and travelers who rely on I-44 every day.
The project is slated to be completed by November 2031.
