Columbia-based construction company makes shortlist for Missouri River bridge replacement project
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
MoDOT will soon review construction company proposals for the $240 million project to replace the Missouri River bridge in Rocheport. Columbia-based Emery Sapp and Sons was included in MoDOT's shortlist of design-build teams.
The transportation department announced Tuesday morning that four teams, each comprising of multiple companies, have submitted proposals to design and build the new Interstate 70 bridge.
Construction of the new bridge could start in the fall with completion expected by December 2024. Local governments in Columbia, Boone County, Boonville and Cooper County have all agreed to fund a portion of the multi-million dollar project.
The project also received an $81.2 million grant from the US Department of Transporation in 2019.
Brandi Baldwin, project director for the I-70 bridge, said MoDOT will now share its request for proposal with the development teams.
"MoDOT will meet with the teams one-on-one in confidential, technical meetings to help each of the teams advance designs and innovations for their final proposals," Baldwin said.
The project director said the final proposals are due in June. MoDOT's website said a design-build team could be selected by July.
Emery Sapp and Sons teamed up with Kansas City-based companies Massaman Construction and HNTB to form "Rocheport Bridge Constructors," one of the four design-build teams that made MoDOT's shortlist.
Don Hillis, alternative delivery pursuit manager at Emery Sapp and Sons, said the company is working hard to secure the construction contract.
"We're excited for the opportunity to put forward a winning proposal," Hillis said. "We're putting together a plan that will keep workers and travelers safe."
HNTB will cover the design aspect of the project with Emery Sapp and Sons and Massaman taking care of the construction, Hillis said.
MoDOT's website said Emery Sapp and Sons completed a bridge replacement project in October 2020 of the Route D bridge over I-70 in Callaway County. The project was part of Gov. Mike Parson's plan to replace and rebuild 250 bridges across the state.
Hillis said it's still too early to tell how the construction work will be split between the companies. He did say if the team's proposal is approved it will bring a lot of work and money back to Mid-Missouri.
