COOPER COUNTY – Preparation work to replace the Missouri Route 87 bridge over Interstate 70 in Cooper County is underway. While the preparation work will have minimal impact on traffic, drivers are advised to begin preparing for future I-70 and Route 87 traffic impacts when bridge replacement work begins on Friday, July 27.
On Friday, July 27 at 10 p.m., removal of the Route 87 bridge will begin. At this time, I-70 traffic in both directions will be reduced to one lane near the bridge. I-70 traffic in both directions will be rerouted over the Route 87 ramps and back onto I-70. Route 87 will be closed at the I-70 ramps and Route 87 travelers will not have direct access to I-70 during the removal of the bridge.
Motorists traveling on Route 87 who want to access I-70 are advised to use the following detours during the closure:
- Route 87 South: Detour to Debo Road to Route U to Route B to I-70.
- Route 87 North: Detour to Route B to I-70.
Signs will lead motorists through the detours during the closure. Electronic message boards will be placed along the route in advance of the closure to inform motorists of the traffic impacts.
Bridge removal will be completed and all lanes of I-70 traffic will be reopened by 5 a.m. on Monday, July 30. All ramps at the interchange will also be reopened for Route 87 traffic.
Route 87 will be closed at the bridge location until bridge replacement work is completed in November. The detour around the Route 87 closure will be:
- Route 87 South: Detour to Debo Road to Route U to Route B back to Route 87.
- Route 87 North: Detour to Route B to Route U to Debo Road back to Route 87.
“Contractors will be working to remove the bridge and reopen all lanes of I-70 as soon as possible,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Mike Schupp. “The condition of the 60-year-old bridge had deteriorated and was in need of replacement. The new bridge will be safer and will be built to accommodate any future widening or rebuilding of I-70. We understand the work will create an inconvenience and we appreciate the patience and understanding of the traveling public while we complete this project.”
As part of the project, both Route 87 and the four ramps near the bridge will be rebuilt to match the alignment of the new bridge. To accommodate the work, a portion of Route 87 north of the bridge will be closed for 14 days in mid-August and a portion of Route 87 south of the bridge will be closed for 14 days in mid-September. During the work on Route 87 north of the bridge, motorists will not have access to the I-70 westbound on or off ramps. When the work zone south of I-70 is active, drivers will not have access to the I-70 eastbound on or off ramps. Nancy Potter Road will be closed at Route 87 only during the I-70 eastbound ramp work. A signed detour will lead motorists around each work zone.
Periodic lane and road closures are also likely on Route 87 and I-70 during future stages of the project. MoDOT will notify motorists of these closures in advance through signs, electronic message boards, press releases, and social media.
All work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions.
For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. Follow MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook or Twitter (@MoDOT_Central) for project updates and transportation-related news.