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Confused about construction? Ask the Road Crew

Ask the experts from the Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis and St. Charles counties and St. Louis City your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

3rd & 7 37yd

Is there a number to dial to report pot holes? Thank You for this service

by John W 4/20/2022 3:59:06 PM
For potholes on state-maintained roads (interstates and state numbered and lettered routes) -- you can call our customer service team 24/7 at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or 314-275-1500. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
To report potholes on St. Louis County-maintained roads/streets, please call 314-615-8538. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT edited by dwrone 4/20/2022 3:59:06 PM
In last week's Road Crew, a chat participant asked: "Is there still a project to add a lane on Big Bend from Berry to Grant roads? If yes, when is it scheduled?" ST. LOUIS COUNTY'S REPLY: There is, indeed. Next year, we'll be adding an eastbound lane to Big Bend, from Berry to Grant roads. The new lane will transition as it approaches Grant to "Right Turn Only." David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 4/20/2022 5:25:32 PM
Drivers are not allowed to change lanes while in the Lindbergh tunnel under the runway at Lambert. Has anyone suggested not allowing lane changes while on the I-70 bridge into St. Charles?

by Safety First 4/20/2022 5:56:59 PM
Typically, the lanes through a tunnel are narrower, the light levels change significantly, and there are much closer quarters in a tunnel; changing lanes within a tunnel is discouraged for these reasons. You really don't have those issues while on the I-70 bridge across the Missouri River. In addition, there are entrances and exits on both sides of the Missouri River bridge which would make minimizing lane changes of limited value. Finally, any type of prohibition such as this would require significant enforcement by law enforcement. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 5:57:00 PM
It seems like most of the bridges being torn down and replaced are in the 50-60 year old range. How much has bridge design changed in the past 50 years to make bridges less costly to maintain and last longer?

by stlroger 4/20/2022 6:09:34 PM
As we determine the need to maintain bridges, we look at whether it may be more efficient to replace the bridge or rehabilitate it. For instance, along the I-55 corridor we have several bridges that are getting a new deck , and some others that are simply getting an overlay. Materials and designs have definitely improved over time. Voided slabs (which consisted of reinforced concrete with voids (which helped reduce the concrete needed) were popular in the 1950s (somewhat like the Grand bridge over I-44). Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:09:35 PM
Now that the Meramec River Bridge project is (mostly?) complete, more than a few drivers seem to be confused by the lane markings on WB I-44, especially for the WB I-44 to NB I-270 movement. There seem to be a whole lot of late lane changes happening, by drivers who realize, at the last minute, that they're in the wrong lane. Can anything be done to improve things?

by Jimmy Z 4/20/2022 6:12:43 PM
Some of that is due to people getting used to the new traffic patterns, which will definitely get reduced over time as people learn the traffic pattern. We'll continue to monitor to see if it is anything more than people getting familiar with the new traffic flow. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:12:44 PM
This would be kinda cool, to do somewhere around here - www.atlasobscura.com

by Jimmy Z 4/20/2022 6:13:00 PM
Thanks for your suggestion. I don't see it happening here, but it is definitely an interesting idea. Andrew Gates. MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:13:01 PM
Now that construction has started on the Big Bend bridge replacement over I-44, both Watson and Lindbergh are seeing increased traffic, especially NB Lindbergh, south of I-44. Are there any plans to adjust signal timing to address these changes? Thanks!

by Jimmy Z 4/20/2022 6:16:48 PM
We do have a team that monitors and adjusts signal timing along the corridor. If you have specific times, directions and roadways that seem to be significantly backed up, you can share them with our customer service team (24/7 at 314-275-1500) and we can have the team look at them. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communciations

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:16:49 PM
It seems the construction at Olive and Linbergh has really slowed, when will this be complete?

by Greg 4/20/2022 6:31:19 PM
That is a permit project, and from what we are told, the team doing the work had to do some design work to complete the project. When that design is complete, they can obtain and install any additional equipment and finish the project. We haven't been given an updated completion date at this time. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:31:20 PM
About the work zone on 44 at Big Bend. I feel it's been typical for a lane drop to have a reduced speed in the work zone but that's not the case in this zone it seems. Also I don't recall seeing any limit drops when you had everyone funneled off the ramp to take down the bridge. I was curious as to why the limit is still 60.
Thanks!

by DivideByZero 4/20/2022 6:36:51 PM
You are correct in that it is typical for lane shifts to have reduced speeds. I am checking with our construction team to see what may be the case here. I'll share what I get from them, either today, or in a future chat. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 4/20/2022 6:36:52 PM