Overnight road work to affect I-70 traffic in preparation for Rocheport Bridge construction

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is set to begin work on Interstate 70 Thursday, in preparation for the construction of the new Rocheport Bridge.

According to MoDOT, contractors for the department will be working to strengthen the shoulders and median along I-70 in the area.

The work, which is expected to begin Thursday and last through October, will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night and will require periodic eastbound and westbound lane closures between the Route BB and Highway 179 interchanges.

MoDOT says signs will be in the area to alert drivers of lane closures and drivers are asked to expect delays and use caution through the work zone.

Construction on the new bridge is expected to begin later this fall.

The bridge will be built in phases. The first bridge is expected to be finished in the summer of 2024, and the team will demolish the original bridge at that time. Traffic going both ways will drive on the first bridge until the second one is finished.

The $240-million project is expected to be finished by December of 2024.