Good weather conditions are contributing to progress on the new Interstate 70 interchange in Warrenton, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Dirt work has gone smoothly, and the path of the new ramps and roundabouts has taken shape, the agency said.

“The contractor, Emery Sapp and Sons, has really gotten a good start before winter weather hits,” said MoDOT Area Engineer Erik Maninga. “They are continuing to focus on getting the prep work for the new pavement on the ramps and roundabouts, and just this week they have begun the bridge/overpass construction.”

The contractor has begun boring for the bridge’s piers, and will begin stabilization work for retaining walls next week, Maninga said.

When finished, the interchange will provide a second exit from I-70 in Warrenton and connect the North Outer Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway near Highway MM. The construction is about 2 miles west of Highway 47.

Photos and some video of the work can be accessed on MoDOT’s NE District Flickr page, and a link is provided at www.modot.org/northeast under Road Work, Warren County.

The new interchange is being fully funded with a city sales tax approved by Warrenton voters in 2016.

Once the project is complete, MoDOT will own and maintain the interchange. In exchange, the city has agreed to assume responsibility of ownership and maintenance of Highway MM to Main Street and Veterans Memorial Parkway from Denny’s to the new interchange.

A December 2017 drone photo shows the dirt work that will be paved to become the roundabouts and the ramps for a new I-70 interchange in Warrenton.