By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation say they will be ready to open the western half of Interstate 64 in two weeks.
Crews must still repave and restripe Brentwood Boulveard near the Galleria, which will lead to lane closures. One lane in each direction of Brentwood will be shut down between 7am and 5pm starting December 2nd to accommodate the work.
MoDOT spokeswoman Linda Wilson says crews cannot avoid rush-hour shutdowns. "Temperatures are too cold at night now to be able to do this type of work at night," she said. "And the amount of work they have to get done, they need a longer day." Workers will try to keep two lanes open northbound during morning rush and southbound during evening rush, Wilson said, "but either way it's going to be a little ugly." She's asking motorists to avoid the area if possible, or leave extra time to make the trip.
Crews must also restripe the interchange at I-64 and Interstate 270 so drivers know that 64 is open. But the work will be finished at 5am December 15th, Wilson said.
"Rain or shine we're going to make that happen, we don't want to confuse the public and have to move it to another day," she said.
MoDOT is asking drivers who want to get from downtown to West County or vice versa to use alternate routes like I-70 or I-44. Commuters should also talk to their bosses about working flexible hours to avoid rush hour, Wilson said.