Public comment sought on I-70

The footprint is nearly in place, so planners are taking three small steps forward.

In order to encourage communication between project consultant CH2M Hill and people possibly affected by plans to improve Interstate 70 in Columbia, the Missouri Department of Transportation will be hosting neighborhood meetings throughout the upcoming week.

“We want to provide as much opportunity for one-on-one,” said Bob Brendel, communications manager for the department. The neighborhood sessions, he said, “are more to the grassroots.”

During the meetings, Buddy Desai, project manager for the Englewood, Colo.-based consultant, said he will make brief presentations on what has been planned and review existing alternatives.

The meetings are also an opportunity for people who may have missed previous meetings to participate in the planning process.

Comments, which may merit changes, will be compiled and used to plan a preferred alternative roadway design. The preferred alternative will be discussed by the I-70 advisory group during its next meeting on March 18.

Because the impact of the project has become more defined, the meetings are being held as part of an outreach program to provide as much opportunity as possible for the public to communicate with project planners.