I-270 North Design-Build Project
Client:
Millstone Weber & Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT)
Scope
The I-270 North Design-Build Project focused on improving approximately 8.6 miles of Interstate 270, from McDonnell Boulevard to Bellefontaine Road in St. Louis County, Missouri. This vital corridor supports over 140,000 vehicles daily and is a key route for both local commuters and freight traffic. The project aimed to upgrade aging infrastructure, enhance traffic operations, and reconnect communities through modern, multi-modal transportation solutions.
Excel’s Role
Excel Business Concepts was engaged to lead the branding, messaging, and public engagement strategy for the Safety Action Plan. Our contributions included:
1
Sustaining Public Awareness and Trust
Over the multi-year project, Excel was tasked with keeping the community informed and engaged, despite ongoing construction impacts, technical complexities, and pandemic disruptions.
2
Coordinating Multi-Stakeholder Messaging
Excel managed communication between MoDOT, the general contractor (Millstone Weber), local municipalities, transit agencies, and the public—ensuring unified, timely, and clear messaging.
3
Rapid Pivot to Virtual Engagement
With the onset of COVID-19, Excel had to quickly shift from planned in-person public meetings to fully virtual formats—within just 72 hours—while maintaining engagement quality and accessibility.
Impact
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Developed and executed a comprehensive public information strategy that aligned communications with project goals and strengthened community trust.
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Transitioned public engagement from in-person to fully virtual within 72 hours, ensuring transparency and accessibility during the pandemic.
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Delivered consistent, audience-focused outreach through newsletters, detour updates, safety campaigns, and virtual events that kept the public informed throughout the project lifecycle.
