MoDOT prepares to replace Route 87 bridge over I-70 in Cooper County

The Missouri Department of Transportation started preparations to replace the Missouri Route 87 bridge over Interstate 70 in Cooper County.

In a press release, MoDOT said the 60-year-old bridge has deteriorated and is in need of replacement. It also said the new bridge will be built to accommodate any future widening or rebuilding of I-70.

MoDOT said the preparation work, which is underway, should not have a significant impact on traffic. The bridge replacement work is scheduled to officially start at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 27.

According to MoDOT, both directions of I-70 will be reduced to one lane near the bridge. Drivers will also be rerouted over the Route 87 ramps and back onto I-70. Route 87 will be closed at the I-70 ramps and drivers on Route 87 will not have direct access to I-70 while the bridge is removed.

MoDOT said drivers on Route 87 who want to get on I-70 should use the following detours:

Route 87 South: Detour to Debo Road to Route U to Route B to I-70. Route 87 North: Detour to Route B to I-70.

According to MoDOT, the bridge removal is expected to be finished and all lanes of I-70 are expected to be back open by 5 a.m. on Monday, July 30.

Route 87 will remain closed near the bridge until bridge replacement work is finished in November. The detour around that closure will be:

Route 87 South: Detour to Debo Road to Route U to Route B back to Route 87. Route 87 North: Detour to Route B to Route U to Debo Road back to Route 87.

A section of Route 87 north of the bridge will also be closed for two weeks in mid-August and a section of Route 87 south of the bridge will also be closed for two weeks in mid-September. This is so crews can rebuild both Route 87 and the four ramps near the bridge to match the alignment of the new bridge.