Project Facts

The Project: Two directional "flyover" ramps and new bridges over the railroad tracks are the main features of a project that will ease congestion and improve safety at the busiest freeway-to-freeway interchange in Missouri outside of the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.

The interchange reconstruction is a major priority for MoDOT, Springfield metro and statewide transportation planners. Statewide passage of Amendment 3 in 2004 made it possible to schedule the project sooner than otherwise would have been possible.

Construction: Started in May 2009. Completion scheduled for October 2012.

Prime contractor: Archer Western Contractors of Illinois.

Cost: $57.1 million.

The 60/65 Interchange Highlights

• Build two directional, "flyover" ramps – northbound U.S. 65-to-westbound U.S. 60 and eastbound U.S. 60-to-northbound U.S. 65

• Build four bridges over BNSF railroad tracks – two bridges as part of "flyover" ramps and two bridges carrying U.S. 60 traffic

• Replace northbound U.S. 65 bridge over U.S. 60 and rebuild southbound U.S. 65 bridge over U.S. 60

• Replace westbound U.S. 60 bridge over Lake Springfield and widen eastbound U.S. 60 bridge over Lake Springfield

Trail Safety During Construction

Long sections of the recreational trails that encircle the U.S. 60/65 interchange will remain open during the reconstruction project. However, the trail segments underneath U.S. 60 may be closed for lengthy periods when hazards exist.

The Galloway Creek Greenway on the west side of U.S. 65 and the James River Greenway on the east side of U.S. 65 will be closed where each crosses underneath U.S. 60 when conditions are deemed unsafe for walkers, runners and bicycle riders. Debris from bridge construction overhead, rough or deeply excavated areas near the trail and large construction machinery moving around would present hazards for trail users.

When the trails are open for short periods underneath U.S. 60, the section of trail adjacent to the construction area probably will be unpaved, although a rock surface will be provided.

Signs and electronic message boards on the trails will carry trail status information.

While it is clear that closing trail segments underneath U.S. 60 is an inconvenience, the goal is to keep trail users safe while completing a much-needed highway and bridge project.

60/65 Interchange ‘By the Numbers’

• 2,019 feet: The length of the "flyover" bridge that is part of the 4,000-foot long eastbound U.S. 60-to-northbound U.S. 65 directional ramp.
It will be the longest bridge in MoDOT's 12-county Springfield District.
(Current longest bridge: Route 13 bridge over Table Rock Lake at Kimberling City, 1,862 feet.)

• 1,547 feet: The length of the "flyover" bridge that is part of the 4,000-foot long northbound U.S. 65-to-westbound U.S. 60 ramp.
It will be the Springfield district's fifth longest bridge.
(Current fifth-longest bridge: northbound U.S. 65-to-westbound I-44 ramp in Springfield, 1,384 feet.)

• 73 feet: The height of the driving surface of the eastbound-to-northbound ramp above U.S. 60.

• 49 feet: The height of the driving surface of the northbound-to-westbound ramp above U.S. 60.

Updated: May 2009