I-49 and Route 7 Interchange Improvement Project Receives ACEC of Missouri Engineering Excellence Grand Award

We're proud to announce that the I-49 and Route 7 Interchange Improvement project received an ACEC of Missouri Engineering Excellence Grand Award in the Transportation Category. TREKK, GBA and UES collaborated with MoDOT’s Kansas City District to replace the outdated Route 7 bridge with a unique, separated Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) which optimized traffic flow and enhanced safety.

The I-49 and Route-7 Interchange Improvement Project provides Missouri residents with an enhanced connection between two primary routes in the region. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) primary project goal was to replace the outdated Route 7 bridge with one that met current standards. However, with minimal additional cost, significant value was provided to Missouri residents by also enhancing safety and improving traffic flow. This heavily traveled interchange connects Kansas City to recreational areas in central and southwest Missouri, handling an average daily traffic of 36,000 vehicles on I-49 and 16,000 vehicles on Route 7. As growth between the regions continue, an interchange that better serves the increasing traffic volumes became a priority for MoDOT.

TREKK’s innovative solution of a unique ‘separated’ Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) provided some additional benefits to the typical DDI. of As with most DDIs, the number of vehicle conflict points were reduced and the flow of turning traffic was optimized. The I-49 and Route 7 DDI is special due to the through movements being separated from each other between the ramp intersections. This configuration allowed for the construction of the new bridges without impacting the existing traffic patterns. Because of the heavy traffic volumes using this interchange, the expected savings in road user costs during construction was significant.

The project resulted in better traffic flow and enhanced safety not only during construction, but also in the final configuration. The DDI configuration is proven to be safer and more efficient than traditional diamond interchanges due to the reduced number of conflict points, improved sight distance, and increased left-turn capacity. Research shows that DDI’s reduce rear-end, left-turn, and right-angle crashes, offering long-term benefits. The bridge configuration also allows for future lanes of I-49, planning for traffic demands for the next 75 years.

“The I-49 and Route 7 interchange project addressed critical infrastructure needs and made vital safety improvements for local and regional motorists.  The project’s success was a team effort made possible by the partnership between MoDOT and City of Harrisonville, and the professionalism, innovation, and expertise provided by the design consultant and contractor,” said Allan Ludiker, PE of MoDOT.

The TREKK’s engineering creativity on the I-49 and Route 7 Interchange Improvement project demonstrated innovation of the proven DDI configuration. The project’s success shows TREKK’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance safety and support infrastructure resilience. Through collaboration with MoDOT and local stakeholders, TREKK delivered a sustainable, community-focused solution that demonstrates a new interchange configuration to be considered in other locations across the country. Because of TREKK’s thoughtful engineering approach, the contractor was able to complete the project ahead of schedule and under budget.