Section 4 is an 18-mile stretch of I-70 in central Missouri that passes through Columbia. Its termini are west of Route J (Mile Post 116) and east of Route Z (Mile Post 134).

Outside of Kansas City and St. Louis, Columbia is the largest city along I-70 in the state, with 88,300 residents. Columbia is home of the University of Missouri-Columbia, which has an enrollment of 26,000 students and is the city’s largest employer. Other features of SIU4 include several stream crossings, and proximity to recreational areas and parks.

This section of I-70 carries volumes of traffic that exceed the facility’s current capacity, with most trips beginning and ending locally. There are 10 interchanges, with four classified as urban. Of the urban interchanges, three are operating at unacceptable levels of service, resulting in traffic slow-downs and stoppages. This section of I-70 through Columbia also has a crash rate higher than the statewide average.

Because this growing area is heavily developed and improvements to I-70 could affect many local interests, MoDOT has assembled a community input group with the help of a professional facilitator. The Improve I-70 Advisory Group is composed of people interested in planning I-70’s future in the Columbia area. Other opportunities for public input in the Columbia area include drop-in centers and public meetings. All local input will help ensure that improvement decisions for the future of I-70 balance the varied local needs with the needs of I-70 travelers.