The Blanchette Memorial Bridge is a pair of twin

cantilever bridge A cantilever bridge is a bridge built using structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end (called cantilevers). For small footbridges, the cantilevers may be simple beam (structure), beams; however, large cantilever ...

s carrying

Interstate 70 Interstate 70 (I-70) is a major east–west Interstate Highway System, Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15, I-15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a park and ride lot just east of Interstate 695 (Maryland), I-695 in ...

across the Missouri River between St. Louis County and

St. Charles County St. Charles County is in the central eastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 405,262, making it Missouri's third-most populous county. Its county seat is St. Charles. The county was organized Oct ...

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

, opened in 1959. At the bridge's crossing, the Missouri River reaches an average depth of about 45 feet. Handling an average of 165,000 vehicle transits per day, it is the area's busiest bridge. Construction of the first interstate highway project under provisions of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 started west of the bridge's present location. A sign commemorating the site of the nation's first interstate project stands next to Interstate 70 just east of the

Missouri Route 94 Route 94 serves eastern and central Missouri. The entire route closely parallels the Missouri River. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 67 in West Alton; its western terminus is at the intersection of U.S. Route 54 and U.S. Route 63 in ...

/First Capitol Drive overpass.

History

The bridge is named for French Canadian fur trader and hunter

Louis Blanchette Louis Blanchette (11 July 1739August 1793) was a French Canadian explorer and likely fur trader in North America in the 18th century. He explored areas of what is now Missouri, and is notable as the founder of the city of Saint Charles, Missouri, St ...

, who founded St. Charles as a post along the Missouri River; the village was the first European settlement along this waterway. Major rehabilitations for the westbound span have been addressed to MoDot in the late 2000s. The project started with the closure of the westbound span on November 4, 2012. During the closure, westbound traffic was diverted to the freeway's east side, for three narrow lanes in each direction. The westbound bridge's old superstructure was demolished in two explosions, with the first taking place on November 18, 2012. The second and final blast was on December 4, 2012. Construction of the replacement bridge started in spring 2013, and the new bridge opened more than two months ahead of schedule in August 2013. The entire project was completed in 2014.

References

Bridges in Greater St. Louis Bridges in St. Louis County, Missouri Bridges in St. Charles County, Missouri Monuments and memorials in Missouri Bridges completed in 1958 Bridges on the Interstate Highway System Interstate 70 Road bridges in Missouri Cantilever bridges in the United States {{public-art-stub

History

See also

References