Blanchette Bridge Blast Planned for Sunday

Interstate 70 will shut down entirely near the Blanchette Bridge on Sunday around 10 a.m. while crews blast part of the truss on the westbound span, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Traffic will close for about an hour to allow crews time to clear the area, remove the debris and inspect the eastbound span of the bridge for safety. In addition, the KATY Trail near the bridge, Bangert Island Conservation Area and parts of Riverwoods Trail will be closed near the bridge.

A portion of Ameristar Casino will be evacuated near the trail and the casino plans to restrict portions of the parking garage close to the bridge.

Eastbound traffic on I-70 will be detoured off of the highway at 94 to 364. Drivers can then head back north on Interstate 270 back to eastbound 70. Westbound I-70 traffic will be detoured at Interstate 270.

The highway is expected to reopen around 11 a.m. The blast will be viewable from Riverwoods Trail, but not from the St. Charles riverfront. 

A second blast, which will happen after Thanksgiving, will be visible from the riverfront.

Read more about the bridge renovation project on St. Peters Patch: 

• 9 Things to Know About Blanchette Bridge Reconstruction