The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) has selected The Capital-CMT Team as the apparent best-value proposer and design-build contractor of the next project in MoDOT's Forward 44 Program. The winning proposal was selected from a competitive field of four teams, prioritizing projects at five locations across the region from Fidelity to Laclede County. The team consists of contractor Capital Paving and Construction with designer Crawford Murphy Tilly (CMT). Negotiations to finalize the contract are currently in progress.

Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project is a $471 million project that will prioritize improvements along the I-44 corridor at five key locations including:

• major interchanges at I-44/I-49N in Fidelity and I-44/MO13 in Springfield;
• widening to six lanes in the Greater Springfield Area;
• pavement and safety improvements in Greene, Webster and Laclede Counties;
• bridge improvements at Route EE in Springfield; and
• pavement improvements in Lawrence County.

Missouri's FY2024 budget from the General Assembly provided $20 million in general revenue for the I-44 environmental study from the Oklahoma state line to Route 100 in Franklin County, which was completed in May 2025. The FY 2025 General Assembly provided $577.5 million in general revenue for corridor improvements along I-44. The Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project includes $328 million of general revenue and $143 million of STIP funds.

"Today's selection of The Capital-CMT Team as the design-build contractor for the Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements project is a major step forward for MoDOT's Statewide Forward 44 Program," said Warren Erdman, MHTC chairman. "This effort continues to look at innovative opportunities to deliver major projects with the greatest value to serve the citizens of Missouri for many years to come."

"We are honored by MoDOT's trust in the Capital-CMT team and excited for the opportunity to help deliver this transformational investment along the I-44 corridor," said Kevin Peart, chief operating officer of Capital. "We look forward to partnering with MoDOT, local communities, and project stakeholders to deliver a safer, more resilient corridor that strengthens connectivity and serves the region for decades to come."

Design-build is a project delivery method that combines both the design and construction phases into one contract. The selected contract team completes the design and construction in parallel instead of in succession, which saves time and resources. The goals for the Forward 44: Southwest I-44 Improvements Project include:

• deliver the project within the programmed budget;
• maximize safety and reliability with improvements that reduce crashes and promote economic development;
• construct a durable transportation facility that is compatible with freight movement and future expansion;
• minimize and mitigate delays to the traveling public while ensuring the highest level of safety for both workers and the public; and
• deliver the project on or before Nov. 15, 2031.

The next steps include finalizing the contract, doing more detailed design of the roadway and interchanges and outlining the construction schedule with traffic control plans. MoDOT will host public information meetings in Summer 2026 as these details are available. Construction is scheduled to begin later in 2026 with an anticipated completion in November 2031.

For more information, visit modot.org/forward44.