Traffic & Road Closures

Portion of Interstate 70 in Independence reopens early following bridge demolition

The Blue Ridge Boulevard Bridge over Interstate 70 in Independence will be torn down this weekend, requiring a stretch of the highway to be closed. Construction of a new bridge is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The Blue Ridge Boulevard Bridge over Interstate 70 in Independence will be torn down this weekend, requiring a stretch of the highway to be closed. Construction of a new bridge is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Missouri Department of Transportation in Kansas City

A portion of Interstate 70 in Independence reopened ahead of schedule Sunday morning following a bridge demolition, officials said.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said all lanes and ramps to I-70 reopened around 1:15 a.m. following the demolition of the Blue Ridge Boulevard Bridge.

During the demolition, eastbound lanes were closed between Interstate 435 and Noland Road, and westbound lanes were closed between Interstate 470/Missouri 291 and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

The demolition was part of a $5 million to $6 million effort to replace the bridge over I-70 in Independence and make improvements to ramps and approaches in the area, according to a MoDOT Kansas City news release.

Officials said the new bridge should be finished in November.

This story was originally published June 4, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

Andrea Klick
The Kansas City Star
Andrea Klick was a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Southern California and grew up near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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