By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – In addition to the overhaul of I-64 between I-170 and Kingshighway, MoDOT will be doing some pavement work on the freeway between Taylor and Vandeventer in St. Louis.
The paving project is expected to last until winter 2010, creating a short overlap with the rebuild. But MoDOT officials don't expect that to be a problem, said spokesman Andrew Gates.
"A lot of it is just pavement overlays and guardrail installation which, although it can impact a lot of people, will be done at times when it's not going to impact a majority of people," he said. Most of the overlays, for example, can be done at night when traffic is lighter.
Other major projects include upgrades to five bridges on I-55 between south Broadway and Lindbergh, and safety upgrades to Interstate 70 near the Poplar Street Bridge. Gates says that will cause some congestion, especially during rush hour. The projects are:
Interstate 64 from Kingshighway to I-170. All lanes of I-64 and several interchanges are closed for I-64 reconstruction work. Work will be around the clock, and includes work on interchanges and overpasses. Work runs from December 2008 to late 2009. Drivers are encouraged to use I-70 and I-44 as alternate routes. Construction which significantly impacts cross traffic include the Hampton Bridge and ramps closed from September 2008 to July 2009 and the Hanley Bridge and I-64 ramps closed December 2008 until late 2009. This project is estimated to impact more than 150,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 55 from 4500 South Broadway to Lindbergh. This project will replace the Union Bridges, rehabilitate the Holly Hills and Delor bridges and upgrade the Bowen pedestrian bridge to be compatible with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA requirements). Construction work begins in fall 2009 and will impact more than 139,000 drivers daily. Union Bridges will be closed in spring 2010.
Interstate 44 at Arsenal. Project will replace the bridge deck. Drivers can expect lane closures and restrictions between summer 2009 to winter 2010. This work should impact more than 107,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 44 at Meramec River and Lewis Rd. This project will rehabilitate the bridge deck. It requires lane closures on westbound I-44 and on Lewis Road and a ramp closure from Lewis Road to westbound I-44. Construction runs spring 2009-winter 2010. This work will impact more than 107,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 70, Poplar Street Bridge to I-44/55. Crews will install median barrier, signs, guardrail and curbs between winter and summer 2010. This area will get extremely congested, especially during morning and evening peak traffic periods. This work is expected to impact 105,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 64, Taylor to Vandeventer. This project will overlay pavement and install guardrail. A separate project will perform structural repairs on Vandeventer. Drivers can expect lane closures and permanent restrictions from summer 2009 to winter 2010. This project will impact an estimated 90,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 55 at Route M. This project will modify the interchange of Route M and southbound I-55. Crews will also relocate the weigh station during this project. This project starts in winter 2009 and is expected to impact an estimated 67,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 55, Route M to St. Genevieve county line. In this project, crews will resurface the interstate. Drivers can expect temporary lane closures on the interstate, starting in summer 2009. This project will impact about 59,000 drivers daily.
Route 364 east and west of Harvester Road. During this project, an additional mile of Route 94 will be upgraded to a limited access roadway, with an overpass for Harvester Road and one-way outer roads. Permanent lane restrictions and some non-peak lane closures. Includes weekend and day work. The project continues until fall 2009 and will impact about 44,000 drivers daily.
Interstate 44 over Bourbeuse River. This project will rehabilitate the bridge over the Bourbeuse River. Drivers can expect lane restrictions between spring and winter 2009. This project will impact approximately 42,000 drivers daily.