If you compare traffic levels from before the project started to now, there has been a 15 percent increase in traffic on Route 141 through the Valley Park area -- where typically, one would expect about a half a percent increase per year. Even with that increase, we are seeing traffic flow through the area quicker -- typically it takes no more than six minutes to get from Big Bend to the south outer road in the peak of traffic (where it would take about three without traffic). Before the job, it was at least six minutes to get through the same stretch of Route 141. Additionally, since about the middle of the project, we have not had to close lanes on Route 141 due to flash flooding -- which was something that tended to happen about six times per year. We do have a few more changes coming up later this year, after our resurfacing project is finished along Route 141 -- that will combine the ramp from eastbound and westbound I-44 from southbound Route 141 into one lane, which should also help. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Jay -- Gratiot is maintained by the city, so I will leave your question in the queue to let them answer it. However, you ask about the new signal on southbound Berry at I-44. That is a programming issue that our traffic team is currently working on to develop a workaround. It may still take some time for them to get that solved. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Are you talking about on I-70, or on Hanley? MoDOT is currently working on improvements on the interchange between I-70 and Route U (Lucas and Hunt), and has a resurfacing project along the interstate that is currently underway. Next year, we have bridge work along I-70 between Jennings Station Road and Cypress. We continue to work with major employers along our corridors to make improvements as they are needed, as funding allows. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Currently I-57 ends at I-55. Any future plans to construct the interstate in Missouri would primarily use U.S. 60 to connect to U.S. 67 near Poplar Bluff, as I understand it. So a future I-57 designation would not be used for the entire U.S. Route 67 corridor in Missouri. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
We do use a lot of similar signing when we are encouraging use of the zipper merge -- trying not to tell drivers which lane is closed ahead, as drivers (especially here in St. Louis) have a tendency to want to move into the open lane. A lot of the determination to encourage the zipper merge is based on the circumstances. If you have two lanes merging into one, and traffic is at a stop, or nearly stopped(for instance during peak traffic periods) the zipper merge is most effective. Having traffic backed up on one side of the merge and not on the other encourages drivers to move to the front of the line and then try to cut in -- if both lanes are full, that helps cut down on that activity. I have seen this work fairly well, even here in St. Louis, when you have slow moving traffic ahead and you have traffic merging in from a ramp. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I'll have our signals group investigate. Thanks for the report. David Wrone, St. Louis County
Last week, a Road Crew chat participant asked: “What is going on with the construction on Laclede Station Road leading up to Big Bend? The traffic there is absolutely horrible, especially the stretch leading up to Big Bend by the Shrewsbury I-44 exit. The light favors highway drivers, and only one lane is NOT ok. My daughter's school is right there, and it makes for a huge headache. The Murdoch turn lane was closed for so many weeks with NO construction going on. Now, however, it is re-opened, but going down to 1 lane for the short stretch after Murdoch before the highway exit is a HUGE problem. Sometimes you wait 20 minutes just to be able to turn right. Is there any way the lights can be adjusted? They favor highway drivers, and often times only a few cars get through, who are also trying to get down to one lane. This is magnified with the Shrewsbury entrance onto I-44 closed.” ST. LOUIS COUNTY'S REPLY: Traffic flow has without question been slowed by our ongoing improvements to Laclede Station Road between Murdoch and Newport. We’re sorry about that, but it’s unavoidable. Our contractor must close multiple lanes simultaneously for the safety of both workers and motorists. And adjusting the signals timing would only create new traffic flow issues in this same area. However, the company is working as quickly as possible to complete the repairs that have prompted the lane restrictions. Also, the northbound left lane closure north of Murdoch was reopened last week. David Wrone, St. Louis County
There were a few signals along Gravois that weren't replaced, and are getting updated this year. That was probably one of them. Andrew Gates, MODOT Communications
It wasn't not well used, and was often used for extended overnight parking (which is not legal) and it was being used to dump debris. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I have passed this along to our signal team to check out. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Of which signal are you speaking, then? I can check on it. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks -- when I get the location, I can pass it along to our construction team. If you want, you may also e-mail me at andrew.gates@modot.mo.gov. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
We are limiting construction through the Memorial Day weekend, as we do typically. However, if there are permanent lane drops (such as along I-44 between Grand and Shrewsbury, we will not be opening them up. At this time, we are expecting the repair work on the westbound Jefferson Barracks Bridge (I-255 across the Mississippi River) will pause about 4 p.m. Friday and work will start back up around 9 a.m. Tuesday. Of course, we may have to close a lane if we have some emergency that pops up. At this time, we don't anticipate any major choke points, but as always, please pay attention and put down your phones while driving, especially through work zones. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks -- I'll look forward to your e-mail. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks for the kudos. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Last week, a reader expressed concern about a curve on Vaile, near Jost Manor, on which several vehicles have recently crashed. The reader asked about the possibility of installing a guardrail at the location to prevent future motorists from jumping the curb and striking the light poles located beyond the roadway. Unfortunately, there's not enough room for a guardrail; the presence of such a device would pose more of a hazard to the driving public than now exists, as an errant car would simply hit it and boomerang back into traffic. We will soon place reflective markers on the besieged light poles to increase drivers' awareness of the problematic curve. David Wrone, St. Louis County
I've passed your observations along to our traffic expert for the I-64 at Hampton area to take a look at it; Since the Hampton signals are maintained by the city, we'll work with them to see if we may be able to fine-tune the timing. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
As far as I know, there have been no discussion of something like that, although it would definitely be helpful. Who would fund it, and how it would work would be significant issues that would have to be worked out. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I'll pass it along to our traffic team, but if people are blocking intersections, that is an issue for law enforcement. We are working with the county to look at some options along there. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Crews are still working on making retrofits to the westbound bridge. We are still on track to have all lanes near Shrewsbury and the ramp to EB I-44 at Shrewsbury open to traffic by mid-July and the entire project completed by fall. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communication
