Missouri Department of Transportation Chesterfield, Missouri, United States

Using design-build delivery to provide a booming community with a better way to drive, bike, and walk across the Missouri River

I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project design build construction

Design-build construction of a major river bridge

An Alberici joint venture served as design-build contractor for the new I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project. The showpiece of this $113 million project is a new bridge on Interstate 64 over the Missouri River, replacing a deteriorating bridge built in 1935 that was ill-equipped to handle the corridor’s more than 80,000 daily travelers.

I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project culmination of economy

A culmination of economy, function, and resiliency

The new bridge measures 2,615 feet with a main navigational span of 510 feet, making it the longest parallel flange plate girder bridge ever built over the Missouri River. The design of the new bridge features 12-foot-wide traffic lanes and flexibility to add a fifth lane in the future. Its deep-water foundations are designed to resist seismic events and barge impacts, even during major floods.

I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project connecting two major bike trails

Connecting two major bike/pedestrian trails

The bridge also includes a separate 10-foot-wide shared-use path that connects two popular recreational trails on either side of the river. It is designed to protect cyclists and pedestrians from interstate traffic and features pedestrian overlooks that offer a scenic view of the river below.

I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project exceeding expectations

Exceeding customer expectations

Working closely with MoDOT and design partner, Burns & McDonnell, the Alberici team’s solution included several value-added improvements to accommodate future capacity demands. The highly economical bridge design also significantly reduces maintenance costs during its 100-plus years of expected service life. Throughout construction, all travel lanes were maintained during peak travel hours with no long-term closures.

I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge Project self performance

Self-performance of key components

The Alberici team self-performed nearly 75-percent of the entire project, including installation of 5,850 tons of weathering steel girders and 12,800 cubic yards of concrete with 1,920 tons of reinforcing steel for the bridge deck and piers. Watertight cofferdams were used to allow for construction of three piers in the dry. The other seven piers were constructed on land or in a temporary causeway, which significantly improved project safety and quality.