Providence Bridge Construction Details

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is planning to remove and replace the Providence Road bridge over Interstate 70 as part of its Improve I-70 program. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in late May and last for 5 months so spread the word to friends, customers, and colleagues about the best ways to navigate around the closure.

Bridge Removal

From 9 p.m. on May 29 to 9 a.m. on May 31, construction crews working with MoDOT plan to demolish and remove the Providence Road overpass bridge and the pedestrian bridge.

Traffic on I-70 and Providence Road will be impacted as follows:

On I70:

• Both directions of I-70 will narrow to one lane and there will be no access to or from Providence Road.  
• For a portion of the demolition, drivers will be directed up and over the ramps at Exit 126 (Providence Road) and back onto I-70.

On Rangeline:

• The ramp from Rangeline Street onto westbound I-70 will be closed. Motorists will need to use an alternate route.

On Providence:

• Traffic on Providence Road will not have direct access to or from I-70. Motorists will need to use an alternate route.  
• Cyclists, pedestrians, etc. will not be able to cross I-70, as the pedestrian bridge will be closed. A signed detour will be in place. We recommend using Garth to the west as a less traveled, safer route.

Bridge Construction

Once the demolition and cleanup are complete on Sunday morning, May 31, I-70 will return to normal traffic patterns.

As the new bridge is built over a five-month period, there will be several traffic impacts to Providence Road:

• The ramp from westbound I-70 to Providence Road will remain closed for the duration of bridge construction. All other ramps will remain open at this time.  
• There will be no access to cross over the interstate for any road users, including vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, etc.
• Signed detours will direct motorists and pedestrians around the closure. Again, we recommend Rangeline to the east or Garth to the west if you need to cross I-70.

Construction of the new overpass bridge is expected to continue through the end of October. All work is weather-permitting and subject to change.  

The new overpass bridge will be longer to accommodate the new I-70 lanes underneath and will be raised to allow taller vehicles to pass under it.

The overpass will feature pedestrian crossings on both sides and will have added beautification elements including decorative lighting, enhanced railings and fencing, stone-pattern retaining walls, and bridge facade elements. These beautification improvements are funded, in part, by the Business Loop CID to create a gateway onto The Loop we can be proud of.