By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis – The Missouri Department of Transportation says the Boone Bridge across the Missouri River needs an addition to meet future traffic needs.
The crossing uses two spans--one for each direction. MODOT's plan would add a third bridge that would hold four eastbound lanes.
Planning engineer Steve Coates says drivers are using the bridge differently today.
"In the past traffic was predominately eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon at that bridge," Coates said. "And what we're starting to see is that's starting to even out."
The plan would not get rid of the current structure. Instead, the current eastbound bridge would become westbound, and the current westbound lanes would become a new onramp for drivers entering Highway 40 from Chesterfield Airport Road and the outer road.
The cost is estimated at $170 million; so far, no money has been earmarked or appropriated.
There will be a public hearing on the plan September 4.