Missouri Gov. Mike Parson joined fellow state and local officials in Rocheport, Miss., this week to address replacement efforts on the I-70 Missouri River Bridge, which have benefited from an $81.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
“From the very beginning, our administration has been focused on investing in and improving Missouri’s infrastructure, specifically its transportation infrastructure,” Parson said. “The Rocheport Bridge is a critical part of our highway system that has long needed repair. This grant not only gives us the funds to complete this major project but also frees up additional funding for other high-priority transportation needs across the state.”
The USDOT Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant has allowed the $255.8 million project to go forward. The result will be the remodeling of a nearly 60-year-old bridge that currently bears about 12.5 million vehicles per year. When complete, the project will consist of climbing lanes to improve safety and traffic flow, as well as replace the existing four-lane bridge with a structure that will, initially, be made to match the existing I-70’s configuration. From there, it will be modified to six lanes, supposing an I-70 expansion can be funded.
The bridge will remain in use even during construction. The project also benefits from $301 million in state bonding, authorized by the legislature, and to be repaid out of general revenue over seven years.