Questions about road construction? Ask the Road Crew
Wondering about road work? Ask the experts your questions about highways and roads. The live chat starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29.
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Design nerd question - when the Jersey barrier was designed and introduced, in the late 1960s, the fact that it had two planes (on their face) was claimed to help minimize injuries. The new crash barriers, being installed on local interstates, are both taller and only have a single plane. Is this a result of changing vehicle design, new testing or just a way to save money? Thanks!
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From our design team: Single-slope barrier wall is a 42-inch-high version of Jersey wall that has a constant slope of 10.8 degrees from the bottom to top of the wall. Some also call this type of barrier Texas constant-slope wall, as it was developed in 1989 at Texas A&M University as a safer alternative to Jersey barrier, stating that additional paving on roadway, due to resurfacing projects, changed the height and shape of Jersey barrier sections and reduced its effectiveness, whereas single-slope barrier does not become less effective with a lower height. It was designed for use in both permanent and temporary situations. There really isn't a difference in cost, as most of the barrier walls are now slip-formed (or formed in place on the roadway). The higher barriers also help block headlight glare from traffic coming the other way. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
In tests, the constant slope barrier has performed similarly, and is approved for use by the Federal Highway Administration.
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Yes, we do plan to resurface Jefferson under I-44 on our right of way when the bridge work is completed. I have asked our construction team to check on the potholes you mention to see if they can be patched in the meantime. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Who do you call when a traffic light malfunctions? In April, for 3-4 days, the left turn lane arrow from Page West onto Woodson Rd South was permanently on red. (I know because I came back and parked my car at Schnucks Plaza and watched all the confused and frustrated drivers trying to turn left.) The problem is fixed, but now I have a problem going north on Lindbergh and trying to turn left (west) onto Old St Charles Rd. Sometimes you and a line of other cars sit there and you never get a chance to turn left. From the 3 times it happened to me, it seems like if there is no waiting on the east side of Old St Charles Rd to cross over Lindbergh, the light never checks to see if anyone on Lindbergh is trying to turn left. When stuff like this happens, who do you call?
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It depends on the roadway, and who maintains that roadway. For issues on interstates or state numbered or lettered routes (Lindbergh is a state-maintained roadway), you can call our customer service team 24/7 at 314-275-1500 (or 1-888-275-6636). If you can give me some more details (primarily what time you tend to go through this signal and experience this issue), I can pass it along to our traffic team to investigate. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communicattions
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They have finished the resurfacing and they are currently working on the medians. They anticipate that it will probably be another month before all the work is complete. Riverview is, according to our construction team, open to traffic. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Hello! For MODOT - I wonder if the lights that come in quick succession on Watson are supposed to have any synchronization - this is around the Grant Rd., Watson Industrial Park area with the shopping center. I've been recently traveling that corridor daily and notice that I tend to get stopped at all three very regularly (usually after coming off the ones at Sappington and Aldi nearby). Thanks and stay safe out there.
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What time are you seeing this (and which direction are you traveling) ? Many times, signal timing and synchronization is based on where the heaviest traffic is. The direction with the heaviest traffic gets the most signal time, which often means that the traffic heading the other direction may have to stop more consistently. If you can provide the time and direction, I can share it with our traffic team to see if they have any insight. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
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Hey Andrew - thanks for the answer. Usually it's between 1 and 4 in the afternoon, and I'm going on both directions back and forth on Watson. The lights seem to be triggered for traffic at the cross streets..but maybe I've just been unlucky because I swear I miss them every time.
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I have noticed several times when driving on southbound Jefferson and waiting to yield onto westbound I-44 that I have had to wait for cars and 18-wheelers who exited westbound I--44 at Jefferson only to cross Jefferson and get back onto westbound I-44. Any ideas as to why this seems to be a semi-regular occurrence during the evening rush? Is this caused by driver confusion or something else?
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Modot.
Someone seriously needs to look at some temporary signage on I-44 eastbound at the Meramec Bridge in Fenton.
I daily travel this between 5:30 to 6:00am and regularly see drivers, including tractor trailers, in the wrong lanes to exit to 270, or continue on eastbound on I-44.
I have seen tractor trailers and other vehicles scrambling to switch lanes right at the split and cutting off other traffic. I know there have been crashes there as the guardrail is constantly damaged.
Please have someone with some common sense look at installing some kind of temporary overhead signs, or possibly marking the lanes BEFORE you get onto the bridge, or on the bridge, as to which lanes are exit lanes and which are through lanes. -