The Interstate 270 North Corridor study is ramping up to enter its next stage.

Larry Welty, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) North County area engineer for the project, said that the negotiations with an agency to perform an environmental study is currently ongoing, which moves plans to possibly renovate the stretch of highway in the next few years.

For the past couple of years, residents have had the opportunity to voice concerns and problems with the I-270 corridor, stretching from Route 367 to McDonnell Boulevard. Problems have involved traffic congestion and daily backups along the roadway.

From those public meetings, Welty said that a couple of alternative solutions, which includes one-way outer road or two-way outer roads have emerged. Welty said each has their pros and cons, such as a two-way would not fill the gaps on Pershall Road and businesses and homes might have to be purchased in order to improve the roadways. On the other hand, one-way outer roads would change the access to the highway and could increase traffic time.

The environmental study will allow MODOT to gain a better sense of the social and economic impact on the land, water and air. It will also help in giving information on the traffic impact.

The study would include the stretch of I-270 from the Mississippi River to Interstate 70.

The study could start as early as next month and be completed by Summer 2014, Welty said. Depending on funding, following the environmental study, roadwork design would be next, followed by construction on the roadway.