Providence Road overpass to close for replacement in late May

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Route 163 (Providence Road) over Interstate 70 in Columbia is set to close in late May for five months as a new, improved bridge is built. The first step in the bridge replacement project is demolishing the existing structure, during which I-70 will be narrowed for 36 hours.

From 9 p.m. on May 29, 2026, to 9 a.m. on May 31, 2026, construction crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to demolish and remove the Providence Road overpass bridge and the pedestrian bridge, both over I-70. Traffic on both I-70 and Providence Road will be impacted as follows:

• I-70: 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.
• Missouri Route 763 (Range Line Street): The ramp from Range Line Street onto westbound I-70 will be closed. Motorists will need to use an alternate route.
• Providence Road: 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.

Motorists are advised to plan extra travel time as backups are anticipated.

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 all road users, including vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, etc.
  • Signed detours will direct motorists and pedestrians around the closure.

Construction of the new overpass bridge is expected to continue through the end of October.

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, thanks to local partnerships, added beautification elements will include decorative lighting, enhanced railings and fencing, stone-pattern retaining walls, and bridge facade elements.

All work is weather-permitting and subject to change.

MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones.

This work is part of one project in MoDOT's Statewide Improve I-70 Program, Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia, which will add a third lane of travel in each direction to the 14-mile stretch of I-70 between the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport and approximately U.S. Route 63 in Columbia. This $441 million fixed-cost contract includes new pavement on all three lanes of I-70 and will also make interchange improvements at Route J/O, Midway (Route 40), Stadium Blvd., Business Loop 70, Providence Rd., Rangeline St., and U.S. Route 63.

Missouri's FY2024 budget, approved through the state legislative process and governor, provides $2.8 billion in General Revenue to build a third lane of I-70 across the state. The program will plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, and add a third lane in each direction on nearly 200 miles of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville. For more information on the Improve I-70 Program and to sign up for program e-updates, visit http://www.modot.org/improvei70 .

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org . To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, signup for e-updates .

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