The Missouri Department of Transportation has initiated the I-470 Purpose and Need Study as one of the first steps to gather detailed information on I-470. The area being examined is the stretch of I-470 from Blue Ridge Boulevard on the western end to 39th Street on the eastern end in Jackson County.

The goal of the study is to conduct a thorough analysis of the I-470 corridor in the following areas:

• Crashes
• Environmental characteristics and demographic history
• Detailed analysis of the traffic flow (both on the main line and through interchanges)
• Full accounting of all bridges and their conditions
• Pavement conditions and history
• Roadway characteristics, including interchanges, compared to current design standards.
• Prepare for subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.

This study will not propose solutions ­ rather, at the conclusion of the study, an analysis will be performed on the information gathered to create a Purpose and Need Statement.  The Purpose and Need Statement will be written to summarize the findings and identify deficiencies in transportation, commerce, recreational access, tourism, agriculture and similar uses associated with the I-470 corridor. The study will also prioritize areas into short-term and long-term needs for future potential improvements, but will not make recommendations on what those future improvements will be.