By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Road crews are making final preparations for the year-long closure of Interstate 64.
On Wednesday, between midnight and 5 a.m., workers will shut down a 5-mile stretch of the freeway between 170 and Ballas Road.
MODOT's Linda Wilson said closing an interstate is a fairly complex process.
"Every ramp has to be closed off," Wilson said. "Signs have to be covered. Signs have to be uncovered. And the most complicated area is out at 270 and 40. They'll funnel all the lanes down into one lane, and then eventually be able to get them put in to the place they need to be for the road being closed."
Detours around the construction site will follow Interstates 170, 70 and 270.
Once the freeway is shut down, Wilson said workers will start removing old guardrails and tearing up pavement.
On Friday, MODOT will close Lindbergh Boulevard for the weekend so crews may demolish the I-64 overpass there.