Districts Impacted
Project Summary
Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia is $441 million Design-Build project that will improve the 14-mile stretch of Interstate 70 from the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport to approximately U.S. Route 63 in Columbia.
The ESS Team, comprised of contractor Emery Sapp & Sons and designer Parsons was selected as the apparent best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor. Negotiations to finalize a contract are underway. Public information meetings will be held in early 2026 and construction is anticipated to begin in Spring/Summer 2026. Anticipated project completion is in late 2029.
This project is one of several which will modernize the I-70 corridor across the state. Since its original construction more than 50 years ago, I-70 has been a vital lifeline for moving people, goods and information across Missouri and beyond.
Project Goals
- Deliver the project by December 31, 2029, within the program budget.
- Provide a third lane of travel for eastbound and westbound I-70 from Rocheport to Columbia.
- Modernize I-70 while improving pavement, bridges, and interchanges to provide better traffic flow and movement of freight.
- Minimize construction impacts with a focus on work zone safety, communication, and construction staging while maintaining mobility.
- Provide expanded employment opportunities while developing and using a diverse workforce.
Best-Value Proposer
The selected Design-Build contractor team (The ESS Team) was one of three shortlisted Design-Build teams competing for the Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia project. The winning proposal highlights engineering and design endeavors set out before the teams and an understanding of the local, statewide, and national importance of an improved I-70.
Proposal Highlights
The winning proposal includes:
- A third lane in each direction to I-70 between the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport and approximately U.S. Route 63 in Columbia, with all new 11” full-depth concrete pavement.
- Improvements to the I-70 interchanges/intersections at Route J/O, Midway (Route 40), Stadium Blvd., Business Loop 70, Providence Rd., Rangeline St., and U.S. Route 63.
- 14 new bridge structures.
- New north and south outer road connections across Perche Creek.
- The team has also committed to keeping two lanes of travel in each direction during peak travel times.
Finalized renderings and detailed roll plots of the entire project will be available at the upcoming public information meetings in early 2026. See all the currently available renderings here.
Animation: Providence to Rangeline
Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia News
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Contractor selected for fourth Improve I-70 project: Rocheport to Columbia
BOONE COUNTY – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) has selected The ESS Team as the apparent best-value proposer and Design-Build contractor of the next project in MoDOT’s Improve I-70 Program, between Rocheport and Columbia...
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MoDOT Announces Prequalified Teams for Fourth I-70 Project
Includes Improvements from Rocheport to Columbia
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Transportation has received Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from the teams interested in competing for the contract to design and construct the fourth...
Stay Informed
Sign Up For Project/Construction Press Releases
To receive specific project updates and construction related press releases, sign up for Improve I-70 e-mails by visiting MoDOT e-Update and selecting one or more of the Improve I-70 options under the Improve I-70 heading. If you already have an e-Update account, you can login and adjust your e-mail preferences.
Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia Milestones
Thursday, May 1, 2025
10 a.m. to Noon
Riechmann Indoor Pavilion
2300 East Walnut Street Columbia, MO 65201
- Ames Millstone Weber Joint Venture
- Ames Construction, Inc., Millstone Weber, LLC, and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
- Ames Construction, Inc., Millstone Weber, LLC, and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
- The ESS Team
- Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. and Parsons Transportations Group Inc.
- Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. and Parsons Transportations Group Inc.
- The Lunda Team
- Lunda Construction Company, Michels Road & Stone, AECOM, Shannon & Wilson, Pfefferkorn Engineering, and Excel Business Concepts
This project was awarded to The ESS Team comprised of contractors Emery Sapp & Sons and designer Parsons.
Related Information
Improve I-70
I-70 is a vital transportation corridor in Missouri, connecting the state’s two largest cities and carrying more rural daily traffic than any other route in the state. The 250 miles of I-70 through Missouri have been an engine for economic growth and...
Improve I-70 Projects
MoDOT has been working on the best plan to be efficient and innovative in how the 200 miles of I-70 will be delivered. As of May 2025, the Improve I-70 individual project limits have been updated and now include eight total project segments across...
Project Contacts
Spencer Robinson
Title
Central Project Team Director
Department
Central Office
Contact Info
Eric Kopinski
Title
Improve I-70 Program Director
Department
Central Office
Contact Info
Lairyn McGregor
Title
Improve I-70 Communications Coordinator
Department
Central Office
Contact Info
Phone: 816-607-2152
Email:Lairyn.McGregor@modot.mo.gov
Phone: 816-607-2152
Email:Lairyn.McGregor@modot.mo.gov
Nearby Projects
Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport
MoDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, has completed the re-evaluation process to update the Environmental Assessment (EA) of this section of Interstate 70 (I-70). Improve I-70: Boonville to Rocheport is currently in the...
Improve I-70: Columbia to Kingdom City
MoDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, is finishing the re-evaluation process to update the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of Interstate 70 (I-70) between U.S. 63 and U.S. 54.
As work to update the Environmental Impact...