First traffic to flow over new Missouri River bridge on I-70 this month

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Passenger vehicles will drive over the new Missouri River bridge on Interstate 70 for the first time starting later this month.

Westbound I-70 traffic between June 16-19 will be narrowed to one lane as drivers approach exit 115 near Rocheport and directed to the new Lance Corporal Leon Deraps I-70 Missouri River Bridge making it the first traffic to use the new bridge.

Eastbound I-70 traffic will narrow into one lane as traffic crosses and exits the existing bridge before it is directed up and over the ramps at exit 115 and back onto I-70 eastbound, where both lanes will be open.

Eastbound I-70 traffic will not be able to access Route BB from exit 115, and Route BB traffic will not be able to access I-70 eastbound from the overpass.

"Depending on what time of day you're coming through here, delays will be worse as traffic volumes pick up. So, I would highly encourage people to use that information available," said project director, Mike Schupp.

Schupp is advising travelers to refer to the MoDOT traveler's information map for delays.

A signaled detour will be over the Highway 240 spur, Highway 40 and Route J (exit 117).