If you’re planning to drive from St. Louis to Kansas City over the next two weeks for one of the remaining FIFA World Cup matches, expect more than just heavy traffic.
Drivers traveling Interstate 70 will also encounter major construction as part of MoDOT’s Improve I-70 project, including ongoing work between Wentzville and Warrenton. At the same time, thousands of soccer fans, summer vacationers, and commercial trucks will all be sharing one of Missouri’s busiest highways.
Kansas City still has two FIFA World Cup matches remaining—a Round of 32 match and a Quarterfinal—and many fans from the St. Louis area will travel west on I-70 to attend the games or enjoy the excitement surrounding the tournament. Unfortunately, those trips coincide with one of the state’s largest highway improvement projects and one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
The combination of construction, increased traffic, and heavy commercial truck activity can create conditions that increase the risk of serious crashes.
Construction Comes First This Summer
If you’re planning to drive Interstate 70 to Kansas City for one of the remaining FIFA World Cup matches, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the increase in traffic—it’s the construction.
MoDOT’s Improve I-70 program is one of the largest highway improvement projects in Missouri history. Drivers traveling west from the St. Louis area should expect active construction between Wentzville and Warrenton, along with changing traffic patterns and additional work occurring in other sections of the I-70 corridor.
Unlike a typical highway project where traffic patterns remain relatively consistent, the Improve I-70 project continues to evolve. As construction progresses, motorists may encounter:
- New lane shifts
- Overnight lane and ramp closures
- Temporary pavement
- Narrower travel lanes
- Reduced shoulders
- Concrete barriers
- Lower speed limits
- Sudden traffic slowdowns
If you haven’t driven I-70 recently, don’t assume the roadway looks the same as it did just a few weeks ago. MoDOT continues to adjust traffic patterns as work advances, meaning today’s route may differ from your last trip.
Recent events illustrate just how quickly conditions can change in an active work zone. Earlier this summer, a pavement failure developed in a newly shifted section of the construction zone near Wright City, creating a large pothole that damaged multiple vehicles and caused significant traffic backups before emergency repairs could be completed. Although the roadway was repaired and reopened, the incident serves as a reminder that construction zones are dynamic environments where unexpected conditions can arise.
Now add another factor: thousands of additional vehicles traveling west for the FIFA World Cup.
Kansas City still has two tournament matches remaining, including a Round of 32 match and a Quarterfinal. Many soccer fans from the St. Louis area—and visitors unfamiliar with Missouri highways—will be making the same trip along I-70 over the coming days. At the same time, commercial trucking activity continues uninterrupted, with thousands of tractor-trailers using the corridor each day to move freight across Missouri.
The combination of changing construction zones, increased passenger traffic, and heavy commercial truck traffic creates conditions that demand extra patience and attention from every driver.
Construction zones can be especially challenging for commercial trucks. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and requires significantly more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. Narrow lanes, reduced shoulders, concrete barriers, and sudden traffic backups leave truck drivers with fewer options to avoid a collision.
Passenger vehicle drivers also contribute to work-zone crashes when they brake unexpectedly, make last-minute lane changes, merge aggressively, or remain in a truck’s blind spots. Even a small driving mistake can have serious consequences when large commercial trucks have limited space to maneuver.
Before leaving for Kansas City, consider checking current road conditions and work-zone updates from MoDOT. Allow extra travel time, expect delays, obey reduced speed limits, and remember that traffic patterns may change throughout the duration of the project.
Enjoy the World Cup—But Get There Safely
The excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup is bringing thousands of Missouri drivers to Kansas City over the coming days. For many families, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events close to home.
Unfortunately, the trip also comes at a time when Interstate 70 is experiencing major construction, changing traffic patterns, and the same heavy commercial truck traffic that makes it one of Missouri’s busiest freight corridors.
Most drivers will arrive safely, but serious truck accidents can happen in an instant. Giving trucks extra space, staying alert in construction zones, avoiding distractions, and allowing extra travel time can all help make your trip safer.
If the unexpected does happen, remember that truck accident cases are very different from ordinary car crashes. Critical evidence—such as electronic logging data, dash camera footage, maintenance records, and driver qualification files—can be lost if it is not preserved quickly.
Learn more about how our Missouri truck accident lawyers investigate serious commercial vehicle crashes throughout Missouri. At Muchnick Haber Margolis, we represent individuals and families throughout Missouri who have been seriously injured in collisions involving commercial trucks. We understand how to investigate these complex cases, identify the responsible parties, and work to preserve the evidence needed to protect our clients’ rights.
Whether your crash occurs on Interstate 70 near an active construction zone, outside Columbia, approaching Kansas City, or anywhere else in Missouri, our attorneys are prepared to help.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, contact Muchnick Haber Margolis for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you understand the next steps so you can focus on your recovery while we focus on protecting your interests.
We hope your trip to Kansas City ends with great memories of the World Cup—not a call to a personal injury lawyer. But if the unexpected happens, we’re here to help.