Providence Road overpass to close May 29 for replacement

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Providence Road overpass on I-70 will close May 29, with replacement work expected to last into October.

Starting at 9 p.m. on May 29, crews will demolish the existing bridge. That work is expected to finish by 9 a.m. on May 31, and will cause lane narrowing on I-70 for that 36-hour period.

During that time, both directions will narrow to one lane, and there will be no access to or from Providence Road. For part of the duration, drivers will have to drive up and down the ramps to and from Providence Road to keep going on the interstate.

While construction of the new bridge continues for what MoDOT estimates to be about five months, the westbound ramp from I-70 to Providence will be closed; all other ramps on and off Providence will be open to traffic. Drivers will need to find an alternate way to get across the interstate going north or south.

MoDOT said the bridge will allow for the widening of the interstate to three lanes each direction, will include pedestrian crossings on both sides, and will have "beautification elements" like decorative lighting and stone-pattern walls.