Live Chats

Chat with the Road Crew, 1 p.m. Wednesday

Wondering about road work? Ask the experts your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3.

3rd & 7 37yd

When will roadwork be finished

by Dylan 6/3/2020 12:50:23 PM
If there is a specific project you are interested in finding out about, we can share information about that. As far as general roadwork, just like a home, we need to continue to maintain it to ensure that it remains safe and operational. MoDOT maintains more than 1500 miles of roadway in the greater St. Louis area (many of those miles of roadway have multiple lanes). That means that we have a full schedule of roadway maintenance each year. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 12:50:24 PM
A very common problem with road work is the traffic reaction to closed lanes. Even if a sign warns of the closed lane a mile early there will be drivers who remain in that lane up until the last few feet -- especially if traffic is backed up in the other lanes. This then creates even more of a backup. Is any thought being given to this common problem? What if speed bumps were put down in the lane that is closing so that people would be motivated to get out of it earlier?

by davej 6/3/2020 4:10:28 PM
Work zone safety is a huge priority for us. Ideally, when traffic lanes are open, and a driver comes upon a work zone, they should move over into the open lane and proceed. However, when lanes start getting congested, it is actually faster and safer for everyone to take turns -- fill up the two lanes and then take turns filing into the open lane (somewhat like a zipper -- which is why it is called the zipper merge). However, it does depend upon people using it (and not being angry when someone merges in front of them. However, what typically happens is that the drivers line up in lane that is remaining open (as you mention) and then a few people come up the open lane and try to merge in -- other drivers can feel that the driver is cutting in lane and may act more aggressively. Drivers seem to be okay at doing this when the roadway is congested ahead (perhaps due to a crash) and traffic is merging in from a ramp, but not so much taking turns moving into a work zone. You can see more on zipper merges here: https://www.modot.org/zipper-merge. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 4:10:29 PM
370 is in terrible condition. Concrete from 270 south to 370 west has been crumbling for years. Other sections of 370 are in similar condition. When will this be addressed?

by Tom B 6/3/2020 4:12:14 PM
Right now, we have major work on the Blanchette Bridge and on I-270 in the North St. Louis County area. We anticipate some work coming up on Route 370 in that area next year. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 4:12:14 PM
Thanks for hosting these chats. On my commute to downtown I exit I-44 and take Lafayette eastbound to the Truman Parkway, northbound. Once the light turns green, I have to wait for at least 30 seconds for a green arrow to turn left (northbound on Truman). At 6:00 in the morning there is rarely any traffic going westbound on Lafayette, especially now since you cannot access I-44 westbound from Lafayette. It seems like this began when the construction of the Jefferson bridge over I-44 started as it was not this way before. Can this be adjusted as it is a waste of time and gas and the resultant pollution while sitting and idling at this intersection for nothing? Thanks.

by Downtown Worker 6/3/2020 5:25:20 PM
We'll have a traffic engineer take a look at it and see if they can make any improvements to the flow of traffic during the on-going construction at I-44 and Jefferson. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 5:25:21 PM
The Bennington overpass at 364 is a fine piece of engineering. To enhance the visual appearance of the bridge and blend in more with it's surroundings could improvements to the landscaping and chain link fence be made?

by CasSte 6/3/2020 6:24:34 PM
MoDOT uses a basic set of standards for all roadway work. Any aesthetic improvements on state-maintained roadways must be paid for and maintained by an external organization -- if a local firm or municipality wants to discuss an agreement with the department to do so, we would be happy to talk about it further with them. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:24:34 PM
I noticed signs for Heege road closing. I was curious as to why

by SoCoResident 6/3/2020 6:28:17 PM
Missouri American Water is relocating a water main on Heege, necessitating our closure of the road this past Monday between Valcour and Croydon. The closure will be in effect for the next three to four months. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 6/3/2020 6:28:18 PM
Westbound Manchester between Big Bend and McKnight is in deplorable condition where the utility repairs were made which could be fixed with a repaving. Is this on the horizon this summer?

by Area Driver 6/3/2020 6:29:40 PM
At this point, we are not scheduled to resurface that portion of Manchester until late next year. The utility company is supposed to patch the roadway and bring it back to its original condition when they are finished with their utility work. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:29:42 PM
Mr. Gates, the new trail paralleling I-55 is open. The pedestrian/bike bridge over Bayless Avenue is painted brown. It looks terrible, like rusted metal. I'm sure that MoDOT had no say over it, but it should've been painted black, white or gray.

by M 6/3/2020 6:36:26 PM
The trail project is constructed, and being maintained by Great Rivers Greenway. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:36:26 PM
When traveling East on Clayton Rd in Town and Country approaching Hwy 141 you are faced with 3 choices, none of which are noted at the stoplight at Old Woodsmill and Clayton. That fact causes most people to have to switch lanes at the last minute, or they just stop because they are in the wrong lane with lots of traffic around them.
Adequate signage at or before the intersection of Old Woods Mill and Clayton would almost eliminate the problem of last minute lane changes.

by Herb 6/3/2020 6:39:51 PM
You'll need to contact the City of Town and Country about this issue. St. Louis County doesn't maintain this section of Clayton Road. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 6/3/2020 6:39:51 PM
Dave, correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the water main on Heege Road was replaced in the last two years. Maybe they only did the portion from Valcour eastward?

by M 6/3/2020 6:41:37 PM
This is a whole-sale relocation, rather than replacement. The work now in progress is being done prior to a culvert replacement project we'll undertake on Heege next year. (We can't replace the culvert without relocating the water main.) David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 6/3/2020 6:41:37 PM
Editorial comment here, not directed at MoDOT, STL City or STL County.

I find it frustrating that when one of your departments does a major resurfacing and invites Missouri-American to replace a main at the same time, the water company frequently declines. Case in point, Mackenzie/Reavis Barracks roads. The county did a nice job. The invite MO-AM to replace the water main and the company declined.

Guess what? Since then, we've had multiple main breaks and they patched the street. In November of last year they started replacing the aging main. Right now, they are laying a new concrete base to prepare to repave. If they had done this in tandem with the county, the expense and road closures could've been kept to a minimum.

I'm M and I approve this message.

by M 6/3/2020 6:43:39 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:43:39 PM
Do you know anything about the work on FeeFee Road in Maryland Heights, between Dorsett and Old Midland? The southbound lane is still an uneven mess after water/ sewer work several months ago. Thanks.

by Jan 6/3/2020 6:46:00 PM
Maryland Heights maintains this portion of Fee Fee Road, so please contact the muni. David Wrone, St. Louis County

by dwrone 6/3/2020 6:46:00 PM
the traffic lights on each end of Big Bend over I-44 in Crestwood seem to function only by timer. There does not seem to be sensors to control the lights. Is this by design? The light functions seem to have changed a year or so ago.

by Dave 6/3/2020 6:51:22 PM
When, specifically, are you seeing an issue, and which direction? Often times, during rush periods, when there is a heavy amount of traffic one way or the other, signals are placed on a timed schedule. I have, however, asked our traffic team to check into the roadway. If you can provide more detail, they may be able to determine any other issues. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:51:23 PM
Mr. Gates, I have a question. The light on eastbound Gravois at Hampton. The green light comes on for the through traffic but the left arrow stays red. After about three seconds, the solid green comes on. I've seen the red left arrow stay on when the green through lights come on, but that is only when the red arrow is going to give way to a flashing yellow arrow. I've never seen MoDOT lag the green arrow from the green through indicators.

by M 6/3/2020 6:53:38 PM
I believe those are to prevent people who are turning left from trying to jump out in front of the traffic traveling through. I have reached out to our traffic team to verity -- if I hear differently, I will update this answer or share it next week. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 6:53:38 PM
At Executive Center Parkway Look and North Outer Rd. in St. Peters there are left and right turn arrows instead of a single red light.. There is a lot of confusion as to whether turning right after stop on a red arrow is permitted. Why not just a single red light? It works up the road at Shady Springs Lane.

by ces4116 6/3/2020 7:00:12 PM
Our current policy is to have a signal for each lane -- the indicator arrows make it more clear the possible movements from that lane. The signal, as such, is correct. You can make a right turn on red at any signal, unless there is signage there prohibiting it. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 7:00:12 PM
Jamieson Ave. from / to the Arsenal St Bridge is really bad all the way
down ( except for one small repaved area) . When will the rest of it be repaved in both directions from the bridge to the end of Jamieson?

by City Driver 6/3/2020 7:01:31 PM
As you noted, Jamieson was repaved in a stretch roughly between Arsenal and Lindenwood Park with funding provided by Alderman Vaccaro. In general, repaving is performed through local alderpersons through their ward improvement funds. However, they have a number of competing demands for those funds for improving their respective wards in ways other than paving. The remainder of Jamieson is not slated to be repaved at this time.

by Street Department 6/3/2020 7:01:31 PM
When is Jamieson Ave going to be paved from the Arsenal Bridge all the way to the end. Both directions are like driving dodge cars because the street is so bad

by City Driver 6/3/2020 7:01:41 PM
When will Jamieson be repaved from the Arsenal Bridge in both directions
all the way to the end. It is really bad.

by City Driver 6/3/2020 7:01:42 PM
When will Jamieson be repaved from / to the Arsenal Bridge all the way to the end? It is so bad it is like dodging the bad parts of the street.

by City Driver 6/3/2020 7:01:45 PM
Can you describe the upcoming project at the 364/141 interchange?

by Wanna Know 6/3/2020 7:03:18 PM
We are planning some traffic flow improvements at the Route 364 interchange. This project will include ramp and lane closures. It will begin this summer and will be completed next year. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 6/3/2020 7:03:18 PM
At the intersection of Waterman and Skinker the roadway has sunk a little bit around the manhole. It is near the southbound lanes. Thanks for your help!

by Don 6/3/2020 7:19:10 PM
will check it out!

by Street Department 6/3/2020 7:19:10 PM