Chat with the Road Crew, 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 8
Wondering about road work? Ask the experts your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8
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A while back, you mentioned that the bridges on 44 between Lewis Road and Pacific needed to be resurfaced. Do you have a timeline on when this construction will begin? Also, what kind of impact will we see on this portion of the highway? Will there be lane closures around the clock? Exits closed?
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Those epoxy overlays should start in May or June. The impacts should be fairly low - the work should be during off-peak times, and they will the interstate open. We don't anticipate around the clock lane closures, There shouldn't need to be any exits closed for extended periods of time, although they may have a nighttime closure or two for safety as they do the overlays. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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An add on to my last comment about Lindbergh "Speed Limit" signs. I would like to request MoDOT make a serious project at determining the proper speed limit of Lindbergh from Manchester to I-270. The long segment of Lindbergh is a divided highway with limited access and a few interchanges where Lindbergh is free flow. I don't have the data, but the 95th percentile speed has to be way above 40 mph. I would say most people drive at least 50 mph. If that is the case, the 40 mph speed limit is artificially low and more hazardous than a properly posted speed limit that is closer to the 85th percentile speed. Studies have proven artificially low speed limits do not slow traffic. I see Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, and Frontenac police running radar all the time making Lindbergh a speed trap. Please conduct a study to see what the speed limit should be and implement it. If the munies along Lindbergh don't like it, they don't get a choice because MoDOT has the right to post the speed limits on their roads the deem appropriate based on an engineering study.
P.S. Please don't use the fact that traffic is low as an excuse to do nothing. Speed studies should be done during free flow conditions anyway. The results of the study shouldn't take more than a month, even with reduced staffing. -
Thanks for your speed study request, unfortunately, we would need you to request that through our customer service team (275-1500) as we would need contact information for the requestor. I will also mention that we would need traffic levels to return to normal (all traffic studies are currently on hold until then) because we do need to verify that traffic volumes meet required levels for certain portions of the study, and we cannot do that without normal traffic levels. When we have established recommended speed limits for a corridor, we typically approach the various municipalities, to pass a local ordinance with our ecommended posted speed limit. This is not only being a good municipal neighbor but enforcing a local ordinance sends the fines to the municipality, thus encouraging enforcement activities. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining a speed limit, including crash history, driveway spacing and roadway geometrics, as well as the speeds traveled (the 85th percentile) are also taken into consideration. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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I would like to request that the "Begin Right Turn Lane Yield To Bikes" sign that is facing NB traffic prior to Manchester be replaced with a "40 MPH Speed Limit" sign. It is the perfect spot because it is right across from the first SB "35 MPH Speed Limit" sign, which is where the speed drops through Kirkwood. As posted, there is a third of a mile between South of Manchester and the Huntleigh city limit where the speed is posted 35 mph NB and 40 mph SB. This needs to be fixed. Plus, the "Begin Right Turn Lane Yield To Bikes" sign shouldn't be used unless you have a bike lane anyway (there isn't one on Lindbergh). See MUTCD 9B.05: "Where motor vehicles entering an exclusive right-turn lane must weave across bicycle traffic in BICYCLE LANES, the BRTLYTB (R4-4) may be used..."
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It appears that the “Begin Right Turn Lane Yield To Bikes Sign” was better suited to the situation before Lindbergh was reconfigured to provide dual left turn lanes and shifting the through lanes to the right. Our traffic team will take a look to see if they are able to remove the sign.
The speed limit for Kirkwood Road (which Kirkwood maintains) is 30 mph, so we cannot post a 40 mph speed limit sign prior to Manchester Road. Since there are a lot of properties very near the roadway, we may not have available right of way to post a sign closer to Manchester than the Huntleigh city limit. Our traffic team will check it out, though, to see if there is a location they can place the sign closer to Manchester Road. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications -
Why is the signal at Lindbergh and Litzsinger still not working? Lindbergh traffic has to stop at a red light even though there are no cars on Litzsinger or the commercial entrance. If the permit to improve the signal is still open it really should be wrapped up. Pull their bond because the detection loops should be fixed by now. If the signal is purposely programmed to stop NB traffic in the morning to create platoons, that is really annoying and unnecessary because traffic is so low now. In this current state, besides Litzsinger, I can can practically travel from Manchester to Schuetz/Baur without stopping. Please get this fixed.
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A wireless detection system is being installed at this location and there was some confusion on what parts needed to be ordered to complete the installation Those parts are currently on order and are projected to arrive next week, after which crews will install them. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Andrew - Thanks, you are correct, it is 30 mph, not 35 mph through Kirkwood, south of Manchester; I mis-typed. I would like to point out that SB is posted 40 MPH at the "City Limit Kirkwood" sign. This is on the opposite side of the road where there is a 40 MPH at the "City Limit Huntleigh" sign. I suppose I would prefer 40 mph just north of Manchester where it goes divided. However, with the way it is currently posted the speed limits are different depending on direction. I'm surprised it has been that way for so long. Also, would like to point out state law allows MoDOT to choose the speed limits, not the city.
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I have asked our maintenance team to check into the debris on eastbound I-44. We are aware of the chipping asphalt near the intersection of Fox Creek/Allenton Road. At this point, we are repairing the worst of the chips, but have to wait until later this summer for a more permanent repair. I assume that you were speaking of Allenton Road (as MoDOT doesn't maintain Six Flags Road.) Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communcations
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Regarding my Lindbergh speed limit study request. I don't understand why you need your customer service to be contacted. This is a legitimate request through the Road Crew Chat. Also, you do not need traffic volumes to return. The speed should be measured under free flow conditions, which we have now, and crash rates can be calculated based on the last volume data set you have. I realize there are other factors, that is why a full engineering study needs to be done.
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I believe Gravois Road in that area is maintained by the city of Fenton. MoDOT maintains Route 30 in that area, but I don't believe Route 30 intersects Old Route 141. If you are not referencing Route 30, then you will need to contact Fenton. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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I realize Kirkwood maintains Kirkwood Rd through their downtown from north of Big Bend to some point south of Manchester Rd. This request is not for the 30 mph zone through Kirkwood's maintenance. MoDOT maintains US 61-67 where I'm pointing out the problem. Your last overlay was taken to 450 feet south of Manchester Rd.
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Andrew - My point is SB US 61-67 is posted 40 mph until it changes to 30 mph 400 feet south of Manchester Road. NB US 61-67 is posted 30 mph until it changes to 40 mph 1,200 feet north of Manchester Road. This is how it is posted based on the signs in the field. Either the speed limit should change 400 feet south of Manchester or 1,200 feet north of Manchester, not be different depending on direction of travel. I would prefer the mistake be corrected by making the speed limit change by either 400 feet south of Manchester, but if the mistake is the other way; so be it. It should simply be the same no matter the direction of travel. I was just pointing out the NB "Begin Right Turn Lane Yield To Bikes" sign would allow you to easily correct the mistake in speed limit signing by using an existing sign post. You won't even need to get utility locates.
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Thanks for the clarification -- I have passed it along to the traffic experts to take a look at when they look at the bike sign and check to see if they can place a speed limit sign closer to Manchester. It may still be that those areas are the first available right of way to place the respective speed limit signs. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Depends on the roadway. MoDOT maintains the interstates and state numbered and numbered routes - and we have had crews out regularly this year picking up trash. Although we have we have increased our trash pickup schedules, littering is a perpetuating issue that MoDOT cannot handle alone. That is why we do community outreach to raise the awareness of the issues that littering cause. We also ask for help from the community and businesses through our Adopt-A-Highway & Sponsor-A-Highway program. We spend approximately 6 million a year on efforts to keep our state clear of litter. We want our city to look beautiful as well and will continue to fight this battle against littering on the side of the highways and the commuter lots. If you have a specific location, I will be more than happy to share it with our maintenance team. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Most of our oversight is with traditional billboards. You can see much of the information on that here: A lot of the remaining depends on where specifically the item is -- benches are most likely not on MoDOT right of way, so they would be more likely to be overseen by municipal regulations. I'll do some additional checking with our outdoor advertising team. However, if they are a sight distance issue, please feel free to let us know and we can check them out. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Thanks for these weekly chats! In the not too distant future the new CVS store will be opening at the intersection of Skinker and Delmar. It appears that there is an entrance for the pharmacy drive thru next to the southbound lanes of Skinker. The entrance for the drive thru is within feet of the Delmar/Skinker intersection. I have been driving through this area for the last 15 years and know what the traffic is like at all hours of the day. If a driver is in the northbound lane and wants to turn left into the CVS drive-thru it most likely is going to cause traffic to stack up behind the driver and possibly into the intersection. Your thoughts?
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