MoDOT asks local governments to support I-70 bridge project

The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking support from local cities and counties to replace the Interstate 70 bridge over the Missouri River near Rocheport.

MoDOT says the replacement would cost about $238 million dollars and would be funded primarily through a competitive federal grant. To boost the grant’s project score, MoDOT is asking for local governments to contribute funding.

The Columbia City Council agreed Monday to commit $2 million toward the project.

The grant application is due in early March with award notification this fall.

MoDOT is planning to spend $18 million to repair the bridge in 2020, but even after those repairs the bridge would need to be fully replaced after seven to 10 years, agency officials have said.

MoDOT and local officials were expected to attend an economic conference at Columbia College on Tuesday afternoon, with infrastructure as one topic on the agenda.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been changed to correct the location of the event.