Why are we replacing the current Rocheport Bridge?
The existing Rocheport Bridge is at the end of its useful life. The bridge was in need major rehabilitation that would have required MoDOT to restrict I-70 traffic to one-lane in each direction for an extended period of time, potentially causing 3-to-8-hour backups. This rehab would have only extended the useful life of the bridge by about 10 years.
How will the new bridge construction affect traffic?
One of the goals of the project is to minimize traffic impacts. The majority of the project will be built off line while leaving traffic unaffected. During the replacement of Route BB, a detour will be used. Any work on I-70, night time lane closures will be utilized during paving operations. Short term impacts while tying in the new alignment of I-70 and moving traffic to the new bridges will also take place.
How will this new bridge be better than the current bridge?
The new bridge design has a life span of 100 years with many safety enhancements that will help to reduce crashes. It will provide twice the width of the existing bridge allowing for improved mobility and reliability of this section of I-70.
The benefit of having two bridges that are both capable of carrying four lanes of traffic provides MoDOT the opportunity in the future to use one bridge to carry I-70 traffic while performing any necessary repairs to the other structure. It is also safer for the public and the workers. Additionally, it eliminates taking traffic to one lane on I-70, creating the potential 3 to 8-hour backups, or worse, in the future.
Other innovative enhancements include a high friction surface treatment and pavement sensors to reduce weather-related incidents, wet reflective striping and a linear delineation system (a line of reflective signs along the barrier wall) to help make the lanes and bridge more visible.
What will the new bridge look like?
The new bridge will be twin 3,120-foot-long bridges. The bridge will be a multi-span structure of five weathering steel plate girders spans over the Missouri River and 10 pre-stressed concrete girder approach spans over the Overton Bottoms.
You can watch a video rendering of the new bridge here.
What is going to happen to the current Rocheport Bridge after the new one is built?
The new Rocheport Bridge will be a twin bridge structure that will allow both bridges to accommodate three lanes of traffic in each direction. The first bridge, the westbound lanes of the final configuration, will be constructed to the north of the existing bridge. All traffic will be moved from the existing bridge onto the newly constructed bridge, temporarily striped for two 12’ lanes in the east and westbound directions until the second bridge is complete. The existing bridge will be demolished and the second bridge, eastbound lanes, will be constructed in its place.
What is the timeline for the new bridge?
The westbound bridge was completed in June 2023. The eastbound bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic by Dec. 31, 2024. Additional work will continue into 2025, with both east and westbound bridges open to two lanes of traffic throughout continued construction. The project is expected to be fully complete and open to three lanes of traffic in each direction in July 2025.
When was the current bridge last repaired?
The last major repairs took place in 2016 and 2017 when joints and expansion devices were replaced.
How will construction impact the Katy Trail?
There will be minimal impacts to the Katy Trail. The current protection plan will use open-ended connex box-style protection on the trail that will provide overhead and side protection to the traveling public and help control ground conditions by providing a floor on which to travel. The connex box style of protection will span the unsafe area in its entirety. There may be instances where full closing of public access to areas is needed for very short terms during certain work actives.
What will be the impact to local businesses such as the wineries?
Traffic to local businesses will be temporarily detoured during the replacement of the Route BB bridge over I-70 at exit 115.
Are there Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) opportunities available on this project?
Yes, there are DBE opportunities available. Contact Julie Cotton, Project Coordinator with Lunda Construction at 563.940.2109 or jcotton@lundaconstruction.com.