ST. LOUIS HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION REPORT
For more information on road construction call 1-888-ASK MODOT.

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Accidents were numerous throughout the St. Louis area on Christmas Day as a dusting of snow and ice made travel on major highways and overpasses treacherous, as shown above on I-55 South. Snow is expected to continue through the weekend.

Snow Brings Out Road Crews on Holiday
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), December 25, 2009 - With snow falling on Christmas Day, MoDOT workers were out doing what they do best: keeping the roads clear.

"Bad weather doesn't take a holiday and neither do our maintenance folks," MoDOT Director Pete Rahn said. "We're responsible for making sure people get where they want to go safely, whether it's a holiday or not. We'll be out until the roads are clear."

MoDOT geared up for this storm by sending crews and equipment from its St. Louis, southeast and south central districts to battle the storm in northwest Missouri, which is expected to get the most severe weather.

MoDOT spends about $41 million a year on snow and ice removal, one of the department's biggest, most visible jobs. Last year, approximately 3,000 dedicated employees spent more than 465,000 hours using 1,650 snow-removal vehicles to clear state roadways.

Rahn said each winter storm has its own unique challenges, so he's pleased the public has rated the agency's efforts to handle winter weather favorably.

"In a recent survey, 77 percent of Missourians said MoDOT met their expectations for snow and ice removal," Rahn said. "We're proud of that, but we'll keep working to get that number even higher."

In addition to snowplowing, another key service MoDOT provides during winter storms is its Traveler Information Map. Located at http://www.modot.org/, the map shows the latest conditions for major roads throughout the state. Travelers can also call MoDOT's toll-free number, 888-ASK-MODOT, to get road condition information.

MoDOT traffic engineers have seen motorists making illegal u-turns at the Kingshighway interchange on I-64.

Electronic signs along the Interstates broadcast the message that I-64 is now open as promised.

Traffic Congestion Increases As Motorists Navigate New I-64 Interchanges
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), December 9, 2009 - As MoDOT officials were being congratulated by the Excellence in Missouri Foundation on completing the reconstruction of I-64/Hwy 40 ahead of schedule and under budget, motorists were still learning out to nagivate the new interchanges three days after the reopening.

Traffic volumes on the eastern half of I-64 are now greater than in 2007 before I-64 was shut down for the reconstruction, according to reports by MoDOT.

"Tuesday evening rush was significantly impacted by weather and incidents," said MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Tom Blair. "The new section of highway is working well, but the ends of I-64 at Poplar Street Bridge and at I-270 have increased congestion. Motorists need to consider all the available roads and avoid the peak to improve their travel times."

In a release, MoDOT officials offer suggestions to motorists:

In the evening, motorists are advised to take I-70 or I-55 eastbound to the Poplar Street Bridge. For westbound I-64 motorists, consider I-70 or I-44 or the major arterials. The other interstates around the region continue to have reduced traffic and are flowing well.

The morning traffic all three days has continued to have increased congestion on I-64 eastbound between K and I-270. This section of roadway was not changed with the project and motorists should consider other roads to improve their travel times.

At the new interchanges along I-64, motorists continue to only use one of the two available left or right turn lanes. Motorists are also blocking the intersections. Motorists are encouraged to use all available turn lanes to get the most traffic through the green lights. Also, motorists are making illegal u-turns at the Kingshighway interchange.

Both St. Louis City and County report Forest Park Parkway volumes have reduced 60 percent eastbound and 50 percent westbound.

Traffic engineers continue to monitor intersections on the key arterials. Signal timing adjustments have been made on Lindbergh and on McKnight to reduce the backups exiting I-64.

MoDOT officials suggest that motorists visit the I-64 web site to watch video drive-thrus of the highway and new interchanges. See www.thenewi64.org

New I-64 Reconstruction Is a 'Winner' for Motorists

After nearly two and a half years in construction to rebuild I-64/Hwy 40 from I-170 and Brentwood Boulevard east to Kingshighway, motorists were excited to drive the "Jack Buck Memorial Highway" section on Monday, December 7, for the first official evening rush hour. See coverage of Opening Ceremony: People Jam New I-64 Before the Traffic

MoDOT to Hold Public Meeting on Interstate 55
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), December 9, 2009 - An open house style public meeting will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the St. Louis County Library- Weber Road Branch located at 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63123.

The meeting will discuss improvements to rehab or replace four bridges between Lindbergh and 4500 South Broadway, as well as upgrading the interstate lighting and the signals at Loughborough.

Specifically, the work includes:

Removing and replacing the two Union bridges over Interstate 55. These bridges will be built in the same location with a higher clearance over the interstate to meet current Federal Highway Standards.
Rehabilitating the pedestrian bridge on Interstate 55 north of Holly Hills. This bridge will be upgraded with ramps to become compliant with the requirements from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Removing the pedestrian bridge on Interstate 55 north of Delor
Replacement of the existing interstate lighting along Interstate 55
Replacement of the signals at Interstate 55 and Loughborough

Since this is an open house style public meeting and there are no formal presentations, the public can attend at any time during the open house.

Archived News:

Hanley Road Bridge Reopens to Traffic One Month Early

MoDOT using Twitter for Traffic Updates in St. Louis, Kansas City and along I-70

New Entrance to Forest Park Opens for Summer Season

MoDOT Reveals Top 10 Work Zones To Look Out For

Hanley Road Overpass at I-64 Taking Shape

New State Transportation Program Presents Uncertain Future

Railroad Side Track to Add Capacity for Amtrack Trains

Missouri Has First-In-Nation Economic Recovery Project

Grand Party Celebrated Opening of West Half of I-64

Reconstruction of Interstate 64 Is Ahead of Schedule

YouTube Video Shows How Dedicated Truck Lanes Could Work

Drivers Reminded Not to Barrel Through Work Zones

Missouri, Illinois Reach Agreement on New $640 Million Mississippi River Bridge

MoDOT To Launch Origin/Destination Web Tool

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