About the I-70 Rocheport Bridge Replacement
Construction Scheduled to Begin in Late 2021
This bridge has been called the “lynchpin of America.” It not only connects two counties in Missouri, Boone and Cooper, it connects Missouri’s largest cities, St. Louis and Kansas City, and it connects a majority of the country. The bridge carries 12.5 million vehicles per year, including 3.6 million trucks. In fact, within 48 hours, trucks carrying goods to all 48 lower states will have crossed this bridge.
The current bridge was built in 1960. It is rated in poor condition, which could have resulted in weight restrictions in the coming years. Rehabilitation work would have only extended the life of the bridge by as little as 10 years and could have caused three-to-eight hour backups along I-70.
With a cost of approximately $240 million, the replacement of this bridge is certainly no small feat. It requires local, state and federal agencies and lawmakers working together to find funding and plan construction that will not hurt businesses who need to transport their products or local communities that rely on the bridge to go to work or school each day.
This will be a design-build project. Design-build is a delivery method that includes hiring one contracting team to complete the design and construction work under one contract. MoDOT provides the project goals, budget and schedule, and the contractor team conducts the work. This technique has been known to significantly save time and money. For more information about design-build or to see other similar project across the state, visit modot.org/design-build-information.
Below you will find more information on the funding and timeline for the bridge replacement, as well updates on the project’s progress.
Project Goals
- Meet the expectation of delivering the project under budget
- Provide a high quality, durable, low maintenance project that improves safety and reliability
- Minimize traffic impacts during and after construction while maximizing safety and capacity
- Maximize safety for workers while beating the project completion deadline of 12/31/24
- Deliver the project with a diverse workforce that fosters future DBE and workforce development
- Demonstrate a commitment to quality and innovation in all phases of the project
Districts Impacted
Project Timeline
The $81.2 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation enables a $240 million project to replace the existing four-lane I-70 bridge with a six-lane structure built just to the south of the current location, as well as reconstruct the Route BB interchange just east of the bridge.
This process is part of the National Environmental Policy Act 2005 Finding of No Significant Impact for the Second Tier Final Environmental Assessment and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation of Section of Independent Utility 3 for the replacement of the I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport.
Click here to see the full public notice regarding this environmental re-evaluation.
As part of preparations for the construction of the new bridge, contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation will be gathered geo-technical data and survey information. The tests, which involve drilling holes beneath the surface, will provide valuable information about the area’s rock and soil stability.
In anticipation of procurement in early 2021, MoDOT has prepared some Early Release Information for all consultants and contractors interested in pursuing the design-build contract. Any consultant or contractor may request access to this information by emailing RocheportBridge@modot.mo.gov or Project Director Brandi Baldwin at brandi.baldwin@modot.mo.gov.
A draft RFP and draft RFQ are available upon request. Any consultant or contractor may request access to this information by emailing RocheportBridge@modot.mo.gov or Project Director Brandi Baldwin at brandi.baldwin@modot.mo.gov.
At the meeting, a presentation will be made on the project, followed by a question-and-answer period. Directly following the virtual industry meeting, MoDOT is providing industry the opportunity to meet-and-greet with the MoDOT Project Team in pre-scheduled, private breakout sessions.
If you have any questions, would like further details on the meet-and-greet sessions or would like to schedule a meet-and-greet session, email RocheportBridge@modot.mo.gov.
Proposals will be due in June 2021.
Letters of Interest
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is soliciting Letters of Interest from companies interested in providing design-build services for the construction of the I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport.
One design-build team will be selected to design and construct the project. It is anticipated the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be released on January 29. Firms interested in receiving project information should send a one-page Letter of Interest to RocheportBridge@modot.mo.gov. An email from MoDOT’s Rocheport Bridge team will confirm receipt of Letters of Interest. In your Letter of Interest, please include the company name and a contact person at your company with address, phone and fax numbers, and email. Please indicate if your firm is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
Industry Meeting - January 29
A virtual industry meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. for potential design-build firms.
At the meeting, a presentation will be made on the project, followed by a question-and-answer period. Directly following the virtual industry meeting, MoDOT is providing industry the opportunity to meet-and-greet with the MoDOT Project Team in pre-scheduled, private breakout sessions.
If you have any questions, would like further details on the meet-and-greet sessions or would like to schedule a meet-and-greet session, email RocheportBridge@modot.mo.gov.
Project News
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I-70 Rocheport Bridge Replacement Preliminary Schedule & Goals Announced
BOONE/COOPER COUNTY – Some of the initial details regarding one of mid-Missouri’s biggest roadway improvement projects are now available.
The Missouri Department of Transportation says they plan for construction of the new Interstate 70 Missouri...
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Urgent Pavement Repairs to Close Eastbound Lane of I-70 Near the Rocheport Bridge
BOONE COUNTY – Eastbound Interstate 70 will be down to one lane across the Missouri River bridge near Rocheport Monday and Tuesday night as repairs are made to the roadway driving surface east of the bridge.
The Missouri Department of...
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Geological Testing to Impact I-70 Traffic Near Rocheport Bridge
BOONE/COOPER COUNTY – Motorists traveling along Interstate 70 will see some activity at the Missouri River Bridge near Rocheport over the next several weeks.
As part of preparations for the construction of the new bridge, contractors for the...
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