Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia

Project Overview

The Improve I-70: Rocheport to Columbia project is a $441 million design-build project led by Emery Sapp & Sons in partnership with Parsons for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Improve I-70 program. This major project will modernize roughly 14 miles of I-70, from the Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport to U.S. Route 63 in Columbia — one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the state.

Built more than 50 years ago, this section of I-70 serves as a vital route for both regional commuters and national freight movement. ESS is leading the charge to expand the corridor by adding a third lane in each direction, reconstructing pavement, upgrading bridges, and improving interchanges to enhance safety, increase capacity, and support long-term economic growth across Missouri.

As the lead contractor, ESS is self-performing 80% of the work, including approximately 600,000 CY of grading and excavation, over 1,100,000 SY of concrete paving, and the construction of 13 new bridges. This level of self-performance means tighter control over quality, schedule certainty, and most importantly, safety.

Construction is being carefully phased to keep people moving, with a focus on maintaining access and minimizing disruptions throughout construction. From sequencing to staging, every decision is grounded in clear communication and a safety-first mindset for both crews and the traveling public. Design began in January 2026 and construction is set for completion in late 2029.

This project marks ESS’s second award under the Improve I-70 program and another major step in delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure improvements across the state. As a Missouri-based, employee-owned contractor, ESS brings more than 50 years of experience building infrastructure that strengthens local communities and takes pride in delivering this work in our hometown of Columbia.