MoDOT gives behind the scenes of progress on Rocheport bridge

ROCHEPORT, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Department of Transportation engineers and construction workers held a behind-the-scenes tour Thursday to show people the progress made on the new Interstate 70 Missouri River bridge near Rocheport. 

This project was started to improve the safety of the Rocheport bridge.

Workers started construction on the bridge replacement project in January after the department said the bridge had reached the end of its useful life.

MoDOT is working to replace the current bridge with two new bridges.

The new bridge will be twice the width of the existing bridge to allow for more movement and reliability.

Workers said today the new bridge is estimated to reduce crashes on the bridge by around 50%.

There is still a ways to go but workers were able to add three new peers.

MoDOT said the biggest challenge was that the river was historically low over the winter, which cause a few setbacks.

The bridge is still on track to be completed by the end of 2024.

MoDOT is encouraging people to join them this Saturday at Katy Trail in Rocheport, for a community engagement event where the progress of the bridge will be discussed.