Providence Road Bridge demolition to bring major traffic impacts to I-70 this weekend
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Drivers traveling through Columbia should prepare for major traffic changes this weekend as crews begin demolishing the Providence Road bridge over Interstate 70.
The Missouri Department of Transportation said starting at 9 p.m. Friday, crews will demolish the existing bridge. That work is expected to finish by 9 a.m. Sunday.
Traffic in both directions on I-70 will be reduced to one lane for about 36 hours, according to MoDOT. Drivers also will not be able to get on or off the interstate at Providence Road during the demolition.
At certain points during the process, traffic will be routed up and over the Exit 126 ramps before merging back onto I-70. The westbound ramp from Range Line Street onto I-70 also will be closed.
Once demolition and cleanup are completed Sunday morning, traffic on I-70 is expected to return to normal. However, drivers will still need to use detours for the estimated five months it will take to replace the overpass. During construction, the ramp from westbound I-70 to Providence Road will remain closed, while all other ramps are expected to stay open.
There also will be no way to cross over the interstate on Providence Road, including for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. MoDOT project director Spencer Robinson said officials chose this weekend to begin demolition because school is out of session, which is expected to help reduce traffic impacts.
Robinson said drivers can still use nearby exits to get around Columbia.
“The closely spaced Range Line interchange to the east and West Boulevard interchange to the west are both still open, except for the westbound on-ramp from Range Line,” Robinson said. “Drivers can utilize those to get in and out of Columbia, to both the north and south side of I-70.”
While the detour may only add a few extra minutes for drivers, pedestrians who rely on the bridge daily say the closure will have a bigger impact.
“It just affects me personally because I walk, I don't have a car, so I'm a foot person,” Columbia resident Xavier Powell said.
Powell said he uses the bridge every day to get to work and access resources along Business Loop 70.
“It's going to make my days longer and me more tiring and wear me out more,” Powell said.
MoDOT said the new bridge is being designed to better handle future traffic needs along I-70.
“The new overpass bridge will be longer to accommodate three lanes in each direction on I-70,” Robinson said. “It will also be raised to increase the vertical clearance for taller vehicles to pass underneath.”
The new bridge also will include sidewalks on both sides for pedestrians, lighting and additional design features aimed at improving safety and appearance.
Residents said those upgrades are needed.
“Yeah, I do say they need to add a little more safety to this bridge,” Powell said. “Like some more lights and stuff because I hate walking at night. It’s a little scary.”
A second bridge project on Providence Road is occurring a few miles south at Hinkson Creek. MoDOT is taking public comments on that project through June 11. It can begin as early as February 2027, according to MoDOT documents, but will likely start after spring graduations in 2027. That project is expected to be completed by December that year.
