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. The team consists of contractor Emery Sapp & Sons with designer Parsons.
Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia is a $441 million project that will add a third lane to each direction and make other improvements to Interstate 70. This project is the fourth in a series of projects which will widen and improve the I-70 corridor. Missouri's FY2024 budget from the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor provides $2.8 billion in general revenue for the costs 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 mi. of I-70, from Blue Springs to Wentzville.
"Today's selection of The ESS Team as the design-build contractor for Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia is another major steppingstone for MoDOT's statewide Improve I-70 program," said Warren Erdman, MHTC chairman. "This program continues to work at lightning-fast speed to deliver major projects that will serve these growing communities for many years to come."
The selected team was one of three shortlisted design-build teams. 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-in. full-depth concrete pavement.
• Improvements to the I-70 interchanges/intersections at Route J/O, Midway (Route 40), Stadium Boulevard., Business Loop 70, Providence Road, Rangeline Street and U.S. Route 63.
• 14 new bridge structures.
• New north and south outer road connections across Perche Creek.
The team also has committed to keeping two lanes of travel open 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.
"This award gives the ESS team the opportunity to help transform Columbia — an inspiring vision set forth by MoDOT and one that ESS has proudly championed for over 50 years," said Josh Doerhoff, Emery Sapp & Sons executive vice president. "We are excited to carry that vision forward with this milestone project at the heart of the community we call home. Reliability and safety remain at the core of the improvements on this project, ensuring Missourians are the ultimate beneficiaries."
The next steps include finalizing the contract, and the contractor team will be doing more detailed design of the roadway and interchanges and outlining the construction schedule with traffic control plans. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring/Summer 2026 with an anticipated completion in late 2029.
Design-build is a project delivery method that combines both the design and construction phases into one contract. The selected contract team completes the design and construction in parallel instead of in succession, which saves time and resources. The goals for the Rocheport to Columbia project include:
• Deliver the project by Dec. 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.
For more information, visit modot.org/improvei70.
