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Pothole rattling your car? Confused about construction? Ask the Road Crew, 1 p.m.

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

Good morning - how does MODOT determine when the highway is “level enough” such that traffic can use the road? Is there a standard that is applied throughout Missouri, or on the interstate highway system?

I ask because on I-44 there are two spots where there are relatively substantial “bumps in the road”. The first is at the relatively new bridge over the BNSF railroad tracks, in Shrewsbury. I remember the bridge construction was problematic. But although most MODOT bridges are perfectly aligned with the adjacent highway, that railroad bridge is not. The second area is, I believe, at Vandeventer, on I-44 heading East toward downtown. My sense is that the bridge there is lower than the highway approaching it, which results in a drop for cars.

It’s not like the construction is deficient, but it is not as smooth as the roads normally are. Just wanting to know how MODOT decides when to spend the time and money to smooth things out.

Thanks a million for any response.

by Dave in Kirkwood 10/12/2022 2:49:40 PM
There are highway standards that we use to ensure that roadways meet a certain level of smoothness, based on the speed limit of the roadway. I can pass your observations along to our team to let them take a look at these areas -- I believe, at this point, though, they have done pretty much all they can at the I-44 bridge at Shrewsbury. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 2:49:41 PM
A second question: when train tracks cross highways, does MODOT require that Railroads maintain the street surface between their rails? Because on Kirkwood Road (61?) at the BNSF tracks just north of where Kirkwood Road crosses Big Bend, there is a problem that should be addressed. In the northbound lanes, the lane on the left (of the two lanes) the pavement is disjointed between the rails and it is very bumpy for cars. The bump at the speed limit is sufficient that cars slow down or swerve to the left - into the path of approaching , oncoming southbound traffic - to avoid it. At a glance it seems that the slab of concrete (between the rails) has broken loose because the corner sticks up from between the rails. ….Might be worth a call to the railroad maintenance team!

by Dave in Kirkwood 10/12/2022 3:00:12 PM
The best course of action would be to contact the railroad that is responsible for that crossing. You should be able to tell the name of the railroad/contact information by checking the name on the signal bungalow or cross buck post. You can also call in a compliant to our Railroad Unit in the Multimodal Section at (573) 526-2169. Keep in mind, that we have many crossings in the state; therefore the crossing inspection will have to be scheduled. Remember to obtain the same information which was listed above for identifying a railroad crossing. This section of Kirkwood Road is maintained by the municipality of Kirkwood, so you may also want to reach out to them: Public Services | City Of Kirkwood, MO (kirkwoodmo.org). Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 3:00:13 PM
Good news for the people who use I-44 near Big Bend in the Kirkwood/Crestwood area. Our construction team is planning to have I-44 lanes open in each direction under the new bridge by 6 a.m. Saturday (October 15) morning. We still have some work to do on Big Bend and are still anticipating that all lanes on Big Bend there will be open by the end of the month, Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications.

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 4:10:40 PM
Maybe this has been addressed previously, but the signage directing traffic from Hwy 70 West to 270 needs to be improved. I travel through there on a regular basis (normally going So on 270) & I still manage to get in the wrong lane about 50% of the time & have to “cut back over” which is dangerous.
I believe there needs to be “North & South 270 ONLY” lanes & the accompanying signs to clarify what lane one needs to be in to get access 270 N & S.
I can only imagine that visitors/others struggle with this as well. Thanks for this service & your consideration.

by John G 10/12/2022 4:27:32 PM
There are at least three signs (one as you approach the ramps and two while on the ramps to I-270) which indicate which lane to be in for northbound and southbound I-270 as you move between I-70 and I-270. I will share your observations with the team in that area for them to review. There are no plans at this time to widen I-70 in the area (which is what might drive dedicated lanes on I-70 for the I-270 exit ramps). With the high volumes through that area, the existing configuration does allow for traffic to exit I-70 from one of the right two lanes and still have the opportunity to make minor merging adjustments to get to either northbound or southbound I-270. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 4:27:33 PM
Two things:

1) How long will Lockwood be closed in Kirkwood/Glendale?

2) The Lockwood detour for westbound travelers is HORRIBLY marked. The initial sign sends you into a neighborhood and then NOTHING. The neighborhood isn’t a grid so unless you are familiar with the area, you have no idea how to get back to Lockwood/Adams. I don’t know who is responsible for the detour signs (may be a utility), but they failed big time. It is a disgrace.

by Jack 10/12/2022 5:40:54 PM
Lockwood will be closed until next spring. Whether it's early or late spring depends on the weather. Thank you for your report on the detour situation. I'll forward it to our Division of Construction for investigation. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 10/12/2022 5:40:56 PM
Is there an update for when the bridge on Pritchard Farm road will be fixed? Initial estimate after the flood damage was October. I believe this is a St Louis County issue

by WarrenL 10/12/2022 6:09:47 PM
Unfortunately, this bridge will likely remain closed at least through next summer. The complex nature of the damage is requiring time-intensive investigation into potential repair options. And the option we ultimately select will then have to be designed and put out for bid before work begins. I'm sorry I don't have better news on this issue. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 10/12/2022 6:09:50 PM
The turn lane stripes from the east bound ramp off I64 onto northbound Jefferson are off a lane. They put vehicles in a lane that runs out.

by Arnold 10/12/2022 6:21:37 PM
That turn lane will ultimately lead into a new lane that the city is currently constructing. We have to stripe that turn wide so that larger vehicles are able to navigate it. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:21:39 PM
Any plans to repave Baptist Church rd from Lindbergh to Tesson Ferry? It’s horrible.

by Larry 10/12/2022 6:40:18 PM
What’s happening on Mattis road from Tesson Ferry to Towne South? Repaying 2’ shoulder with rough lower surface.

by Larry 10/12/2022 6:40:20 PM
Larry, I'll post answers to both of your questions in next week's Road Crew. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 10/12/2022 6:40:23 PM
Not sure if County control this...Vance Road from 141 has a flashing school zone speed limit sign, but only eastbound seems to work. Westbound doesn't even flash/activate.

by DivideByZero 10/12/2022 6:41:34 PM
Thank you, Divide By Zero. I'll forward your report to our signals group for investigation. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation

by dwrone 10/12/2022 6:41:35 PM
Unless someone keeps putting it back, the signal pointing in the wrong direction at the entrance/exit to the Dollar Tree/Value City location at Watson/city limits was still so, as of Monday - weeks after my initial reporting.

by reasonrules 10/12/2022 6:42:47 PM
From what I have gotten from our customer service team, our signal team didn't see any turned signals; however, i have shared your more detailed information with them, so they can check it out. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:42:48 PM
Thanks much for this service---and patience with all the entries---there is a rather sizable pothole on McKenzie Road going south---inside lane between the second entrance to Resurrection Cemetery and the stoplight at Rogers Middle School---

by rt wehner 10/12/2022 6:44:12 PM
Thanks -- I have passed along your observation to our maintenance team. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:44:13 PM
Is there an update on when the Midland bridge over I170 will be reopened?

by WarrenL 10/12/2022 6:45:58 PM
Right now, the project looks like it will reopen in late November -- there were some delays due to some items that came to light when we started rehabbing the structure. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:45:58 PM
How about that never ending sort of pothole in Clayton on cen by courthouse

by Norm 10/12/2022 6:47:26 PM
I believe that roadway is maintained by Clayton. You can share concerns with them here: Report A Problem | City of Clayton, MO (claytonmo.gov). Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:47:27 PM
Re: the turned signal - it's on the NE corner of Watson/shopping center. When Watson has a green, drivers approaching the sc exit see both proper red signals ahead/a green one on their left.

by resonrules 10/12/2022 6:51:23 PM
Thanks -- I'll pass the additional information along. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:51:24 PM
What are you building on the old westbound 44 approach right of way over the Merrimac River, West of 270?

by DivideByZero 10/12/2022 6:53:35 PM
Those are the trailheads being constructed for the shared use path that crosses over the Meramec. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications

by Andrew Gates, MoDOT 10/12/2022 6:53:36 PM