Cooper County bridge replacement project moves into second phase

The Route 87 bridge replacement project is scheduled to move into the second phase next week.

According to Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the replacement of the bridge over Interstate 70 in Cooper County will move into its second stage on Aug. 13.

Starting at 5 a.m. on Aug. 13, Route 87 just south of Hail Ridge Court and both westbound ramps to and from I-70 will be closed for two weeks.

MoDOT said drivers will still be able to access the Hail Ridge Gold Course and the Jesse Viertel Memorial Airport during the closure.

Drivers on Route 87 who want to get onto westbound I-70 during the work will need to use the following detours:

Route 87 north of the bridge site: Route 87 to Route B to I-70 West Route 87 south of the bridge site: Route 87 to I-70 East to the Missouri Route 179 interchange to I-70 West

According to MoDOT, the eastbound ramps to and from I-70 at Route 87 will remain open during the work. Route 87 will stay closed at the bridge site until the replacement is completed in November.

Crews will work to raise the roadway on Route 87 south of the bridge in mid-September. At that time, crews will also work on the I-70 eastbound ramps.