New Missouri River bridge near Rocheport fully open

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The newest bridge over the Missouri River near Rocheport is now open in both directions.

The eastbound Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps bridge opened to traffic Friday morning, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation. More than 37,000 vehicles including 8,800 commercial trucks use the bridge daily, MoDOT says.

The eastbound bridge opened up to traffic overnight, allowing the westbound lanes to open fully.

The new bridges replaced a span built in 1960 and rehabbed in 1993. The contract for the project was signed in 2021 for $240 million.

The project coincides with the widening of Interstate 70 across the state.