Commissioners Seeking Second Warrenton Exit

Warren County commissioners say making the Stracks Church Road overpass at Interstate 70 a full-service interchange, with on and off ramps, would have many benefits for the county.

The commission met with Rick Brown, an engineer with HR Green, Tuesday to discuss applying for a MoDOT grant that would allow the county to hire the firm to do a feasibility study on the overpass.

Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said having a second I-70 exit/entrance would benefit not only the county, but also Wright City and Warrenton.

“There are trucks in and out of the Miracle Grow plant that use the outer road,” he said. “It would alleviate some of the traffic going through (Warrenton).”

Engelage said an interchange would relieve congestion on Stracks Church Road and other nearby overpasses caused by the industry along I-70, as well as ease traffic on Highway 47 and Highway F.

Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said an exit at Stracks Church could attract new business and industry to the area.

Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said traffic safety would be another good reason for an interchange.

“It would take many big trucks out of the city,” he said. “People are concerned about the overpass as it is. There is a dangerous intersection there. The possibility of improvements would address that.”

Brown said once the grant application is submitted, it would probably be about a month before the county will know if it has been approved. Once approved, Brown would be able to do the feasibility study.