Geological testing to impact I-70 traffic near Rocheport bridge

The I-70 bridge over the Missouri River at Rocheport was built in 1960.
The I-70 bridge over the Missouri River at Rocheport was built in 1960.

Motorists traveling along Interstate 70 will see some activity at the Missouri River Bridge near Rocheport this weekend.

As part of preparations for the construction of the new bridge, contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation will be boring through the bridge deck to collect soil samples and rock characteristics of the land below. The information gathered will be used to help with the creation of design plans for the new bridge.

This process will require the closure of the westbound driving lane from the Route BB interchange to 1 mile west of the bridge. That closure is scheduled to take place 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday. If crews are unable to complete the work during that time, they will return and close the westbound driving lane in the same location the following weekend.

While no exact timeline has been established for the new bridge, construction is expected to begin in 2022.