Providence Road Bridge demolition finished, renovations underway

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A bridge in Columbia is officially gone after crews spent the weekend demolishing the Providence Road Bridge over Interstate 70.

The bridge project is part of the Improve I-70 project from Rocheport to Columbia. Missouri Department of Transportation expects the larger project to be completed by late 2029.

According to MoDOT officials, crews finished demolition work Sunday night, earlier than expected. The work was originally scheduled to wrap up Monday morning.

MoDOT's Project Director Spencer Robinson said the Providence Road Bridge is one of seven bridges being demolished along I-70 across Missouri this year.

“If you live, work, or travel in this area, you have no doubt experienced an I-70 work zone in some capacity,” Robinson said. “This project is one of five Improve I-70 projects that will be underway across the state this summer.”

MoDOT said some drivers experienced delays of up to an hour on I-70 during the demolition process over the weekend.

However, by Sunday night, crews had reopened two lanes of traffic in both directions of I-70, and ramps reopened before 11 p.m.

MoDOT spokeswoman Aj Shurr said crews are now shifting their focus to building the new bridge.

For the next five months, drivers will not be able to cross I-70 using Providence Road. Detours will be posted throughout construction. The westbound I-70 ramp to Providence Road will also remain closed during construction. Other ramps on Providence Road are currently open, but MoDOT said some could temporarily close later in the project.

“Occasional off-peak hour lane closures are anticipated in the area,” Robinson said. “Construction of the new overpass bridge is expected to continue through early November 2026. We encourage motorists to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during this closure.”

This marks the second bridge demolition in Mid-Missouri in the past few months. In April, crews demolished the St. Charles Road Bridge in Kingdom City.

The Providence Road Bridge project is part of the Improve I-70 project from Rocheport to Columbia. MODOT expects the larger project to be completed by late 2029.

The new bridge will be built to accommodate three lanes of traffic on I-70 and include a higher vertical clearance.