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Ask the Road Crew

Is your route to work giving you a headache because of potholes, poorly timed lights or street construction? Let the experts know, and ask them your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

3rd & 7 37yd

Last week you posted my question regarding the double stripe on Reavis Barracks approaching 55 but didn't offer any answer???

by Larry D 10/16/2019 3:21:44 PM
Just to the west, you have a center turn lane -- the yellow lines you mention are the continuation of the lines from that. It would be confusing for the lines to simply stop. There isn't enough room between the median barrier and the two through lanes to extend the turn lane for northbound traffic through the intersection. Traffic turning north should use the left-most through lane and then merge into the turn lane to head to northbound I-55. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 3:21:44 PM
Last week, one of the chat participants asked about the signal and stop sign on McKnight. Here's what our traffic team shared with us: About 250 feet south of the interchange is an intersection that is 3-way stop controlled, as SB McKnight traffic coming from the interstate is not required to stop. Traffic exiting the subdivisions would have trouble getting gaps to exit onto McKnight Rd due to the amount of McKnight traffic making the EB right turn. Traffic coming from the bridge was somewhat metered via the eastbound ramp signal. The stop sign was installed to help provide gaps for the traffic exiting the subdivisions. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 3:29:34 PM
Why is there a yield sign on west bound Dunn Rd. just past the intersection of Graham-N. Hanley? Is it for the motel exit?

by Clem 10/16/2019 4:20:25 PM
Are you talking about the sign at the interstate ramp? That is so traffic turning off Dunn onto the interstate yields to eastbound Dunn traffic. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 4:20:28 PM
Not sure how long the new pavement will last on MO 47 throughout Washington. Looks really thin, too thin for any period of time. Seams poor. Not the way pavement used to be done to last.

by MetroWest 10/16/2019 4:39:17 PM
Depending on the condition and type of roadway, we can choose from several different types of pavement overlays. This was a preventative maintenance overlay, and the roadway has a lot of open drainage. In this case, the best choice for this project was using what is called an ultrathin bonded asphalt wearing surface. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 4:39:18 PM
Yield sign for cars moving from east bound Clayton to southbound Boyle is covered by plantings directly in front of sign. This causes autos to not yield to those on southbound Boyle attempting to access highway westbound. Very dangerous for those exiting BJC and Cortex. This area is a mess between 4 and 5pm. For those heading westbound on Clayton taking a left to southbound Boyle and attempting to enter highway ramp on right, its an issue daily.
City of St. Louis claims its MoDots issue.

by Pmlstl 10/16/2019 4:42:32 PM
MoDOT maintains the yield sign at the top of the southbound Boyle ramp to westbound I-64. The city maintains both Boyle and Clayton and so should maintain this intersection; however, I am checking with our maintenance team in the city to verify. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 4:42:33 PM
Are there any drainage improvements planned for IL 15 at the ESL and Alorton border with the new capital bill? The right lane of both WB and EB close way too frequently when it rains.

by js22 10/16/2019 5:34:42 PM
IDOT doesn't join us in the road crew. You would need to ask them. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 5:34:43 PM
Last week, County road crews repaved Robert Koch Hospital Rd. in 63129. Are there any plans to patch Freeman, Arras, Rouen, Toulon, and Bordeaux just off Koch Rd? Lots of pot holes on all 5 streets, including a 2 ft. deep hole above a sewer line in the middle of Toulon.

by RB 10/16/2019 5:39:14 PM
I'll forward your concerns to our Division of Operations for action. Feel free to call Operations' Service Request line in the future to report issues with our road and street network: 314-615-8538. David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 10/16/2019 5:39:15 PM
Are there any plans to convert the right most lane of mainline I-64 WB at Kingshighway Blvd. to a longer acceleration and merge lane? If so, could there be? That's why traffic backs up between Kingshwy and McCausland morning and night WB, because the acceleration lanes of Kingshwy and Hampton are no existent.

by js22 10/16/2019 5:39:37 PM
There are no plans at this time to do so. That ramp is right in the middle of Forest Park, and so to make it larger, it would require more right of way from the park (which couldn't happen without a public vote). In addition, since the exits at Kingshighway, Hampton, and Clayton Skinker are so close, you have a lot of weaving between Kingshighway and Clayton/Skinker which adds to the issue, Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communication

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 5:39:38 PM
I'm pretty sure this has been brought up a time or two. Any thoughts on putting traffic signals at the intersection of Big Bend and Murdoch instead of the 4-way stop signs? I occassionally go through there during the evening rush and the traffic is very heavy. Don't know about the morning rush. Thanks for your reply.

by Don 10/16/2019 5:41:17 PM
I'll forward this to our traffic studies group, and will post a response to your query in an upcoming Road Crew. David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 10/16/2019 5:41:18 PM
Recently, the construction zone at 44 and 270 has been very bad in the afternoons. The 270 South lane to get onto 44 West has been backed up all the way to Big Bend or further at around 3:30pm. Is there a reason why this has been bad recently? Also, can you give an update on that construction? When will 44 Eastbound be back to 4 lanes open? This is also a nightmare to drive through during the morning rush hour.

by BNL 10/16/2019 5:43:51 PM
There have been some traffic shifts around the I-270 to I-44 interchange that are taking people some time to get used to. Traffic has moved to a new WB bypass to prepare for the shift of eastbound traffic to the new westbound bridge (and to work in the middle of westbound I-44. ). That work in the middle of the interstate is why there are eastbound lanes closed. That work is set to continue into December. Right now, we project moving the eastbound traffic to the new westbound bridge sometime before Christmas. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 5:43:52 PM
During morning rush hour (7 am to 8 am) North-bound Laclede Station Rd. / Hanley Road has become a parking lot. Traffic used to move much better between I-44 and I-64. I do not know if this is traffic signal issue or a traffic volume issue, but whatever the cause it is much worse than it used to be. Since you cannot control the volume, would you please check to see if the signals are synchronized correctly on this stretch of road during the morning rush hour? Thank you.

by Homer Jay 10/16/2019 5:52:35 PM
We're still completing the installation of new signals and related equipment on Laclede Station Road, between Murdoch and Newport - as part of our improvement project on this section of the road. Once this work is complete (by year's end), the issues you're experiencing will be eased to a considerable extent. David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 10/16/2019 5:52:36 PM
On the Kingshighway question, I meant convert one of the four mainline WB lanes to a longer acceleration and merge lane. The three remaining thru mainline lines would definitely suffice. That wouldn't require an additional land or even any changes to the walls or jersey barrier. Thanks!

by js22 10/16/2019 5:54:20 PM
There are about 70,000 vehicles that use that stretch of westbound I-64 every day, most of them during morning and evening rush. It already backs up a bit during morning and evening rush periods, so I am not sure that taking one more through lane out would be effective. I will share your thoughts with our traffic engineer to evaluate. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 5:54:22 PM
The overhead signage on the EB PSB immediately after 64 & 55 merge is very confusing for drivers, especially truckers from out of town. The "All Lanes" is very small on the signs, so you have a lot of truckers coming from the 55 lanes (going very slow because of the tight ramp) that immediately think they need to cut across traffic to get in the left two lanes, thinking those are the only through lanes, not realizing that the two sections around Downtown ESL merge back together. This is small fix that would help make safety a lot better, especially since the traffic coming from 64 ramp is usually going 55+ mph even at evening rush. Thanks!

by js22 10/16/2019 5:57:09 PM
I've asked our traffic team to take a look at the signs and see if they can make any improvements. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communciations

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 5:57:10 PM
At the end of the WB Manchester off-ramp to Des Peres Road, the lights appear to be operating on a TIMER and not on the SENSORS imbedded in the pavement. Since the entry into the office park (Corporate Hill Drive) is now blocked off, it appears that some adjustments were made to the signals - perhaps turning off the sensors? - such that the traffic on the ramp from Manchester to Des Peres Road is backed onto Manchester during the morning rush. The light at the bottom of the ramp stays red, even when Des Peres Road is void of traffic. What can be done about this?

by Des Peres Driver 10/16/2019 6:00:21 PM
There is some work being done by permit at the Corporate Hill entrance. That work is expected to last for the next several months. We have made adjustments to signal timing along Des Peres Road for the expected traffic shifts. Our traffic team will monitor this in the morning, based on your observations. They are making some improvements in the left turn indications at Des Peres Road and Daylight Drive to the north. That should take place in the next week or so. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:00:22 PM
The “Be prepared to stop” light on Eastbound Route 100 In Wildwood is synchronized with the light at Taylor Rd. When it activates at the same time as the traffic light it doesn’t allow you to prepare to stop. It needs to activate earlier to allow for the upcoming light change not activate at the same time.

by George 10/16/2019 6:21:21 PM
I've asked our signal team to check this to make sure it is working correctly. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communciations

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:21:21 PM
When will all lanes (both east and west) be back open on 44 between downtown and east of 270?

by David 10/16/2019 6:27:05 PM
The work on I-44 between Kingshighway and Grand is projected to be complete by December. We do have some resurfacing work in that area, but that should only impact traffic during non rush hours. However, we still have significant work to do along I-44. Next year, we start a project at Jefferson, and once the work at the Meramec River is complete, we have several bridges that need work along the I-44 corridor between I-270 and Shrewsbury. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:27:06 PM
Can the timing of the lights on northbound 141 from 44 to Forest be causing any of the terrible backup on northbound 141 in the mornings? The traffic was flowing much better just a few weeks ago, well after school had started, so it doesn't seem like it would just be due to volume.

by jill 10/16/2019 6:30:28 PM
The resurfacing project that is currently underway has hampered some of the detection on Route 141 north of I-44. When the signal doesn't get good detection information, it automatically defaults to giving each roadway at the signal time, even if there isn't any traffic there. They have been working on getting the detection fixed, so you should be some improvements soon. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:30:29 PM
So as a follow-up to my I-44 question....when is the projected date when all lanes will be open with no further (at least planned) closures? Sounds like we could be looking all the way to 2021??

by David 10/16/2019 6:33:13 PM
The Meramec River Bridge project is projected to be complete in early 2022. At this point, we don't have everything determined for the work after that, so it will, most likely, be a few years after that. A lot of it will depend on what work will need to be done and the funding available for that work. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:33:14 PM
Many of the bridges on the southern end of I-170 are approaching the end of their usable life. Also, several of the ramps are woefully inadequate by current interstate standards (Ladue and Forest Park Parkway in particular). Any plans to address these issues?

by colin2261956 10/16/2019 6:44:18 PM
At this point, we have no funding identified for any bridge work along the southern portion of I-170, nor do we have any plans, nor funding identified, for any ramp updates at this time. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:44:19 PM
Mr. Gates-

Can you speak to why MoDOT uses a lot of green arrows for straight lanes, as opposed to solid green balls, on state highways, specifically 30 and 141? It seems to me the green ball is brighter and helpful for visibility, which comes in to play on an east-west route like 30 with the rising and setting sun.
Thanks.

by DivideByZero 10/16/2019 6:54:03 PM
The green arrow tells the driver exactly what movement can be made. There can be some confusion with a green ball signal (can I turn left/right? can I make a U-turn?). The green arrow indicates the only direction where the driver can cautiously enter the intersection and proceed through). That is based on the Federal standards outlined through the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications.

by andrew.gates 10/16/2019 6:54:03 PM
At Pritchard Farm and Creve Couer Mill Rd, when going southbound on Pritchard Farm and making a left hand turn onto Creve Couer Mill Rd, it seems that the signaling device doesn’t detect a car in the leftmost left turn lane, but it does work for the right hand turn lane. I believe this is St Louis County maintenance at this light.

by WarrenL 10/16/2019 6:55:05 PM
I'll forward this to our signals group for investigation. David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 10/16/2019 6:55:05 PM

Live Chats

Ask the Road Crew

Is your route to work giving you a headache because of potholes, poorly timed lights or street construction? Let the experts know, and ask them your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

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