Last week, we had a chatter ask: "There are many safety concerns associated with work ongoing on 270. There is no pedestrian access on any of the overpass construction and people have to walk through and a construction zone to get to either side of 270, specifically on florissant road. Also many of the sidewalks have been removed at interchanges there is no pedestrian access. People are walking in traffic to get to the schnucks at grandview plaza. There seems to be some major ADA violations accessibility during construction. Dunn road is not adequately striped on the turn lanes at Washington/Elizabeth. There is not adequate lighting on the highway and the outer roads. I could go on and on with the safety concerns. Does MODOT perform and QA on contractor requirements and are the contractors following the approved safety plan?". Answer: There are a lot of moving parts on this project as various pieces get constructed, and often pedestrians and drivers are required to use detour routes to get to areas they may have had a direct route to during this construction. The I-270 North project is in the process of installing ten miles of new shared use path along the corridor. When complete this summer, that shared use path will connect Dunn and Pershall at interchange bridges replaced within the project corridor. This will provide ADA accessibility that previously did not exist throughout much of the corridor. This is just one of the many safety upgrades within the project that accommodates all users. Several other final project elements will be installed in the coming months including permanent pavement markings, signing, and lighting throughout the corridor. MoDOT inspects the site daily to ensure that contract requirements are being met. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
We can certainly have our team take a look at this area, and pass along any potholes in the city's right of way along to them. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Due to safety, we do not put flashing yellow arrows on roadways with two left turn lanes -- it is very possible that a vehicle (like a tractor-trailer) could be blocking your view of through traffic when you are trying to make a turn. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Last week, a Road Crew chat participant observed that traffic had recently become very congested on northbound Hanley/Graham, near I-270. This issue was caused by an errant motorist, who in January ran off the road and barreled into the traffic control cabinet and a signal post at Graham and Calbreath Court, west of St. Anthony Lane. As we worked to repair the damage, there have been times when the signal has been 'dark,' placed in emergency "Red/Red/" flash mode, or programmed to operate in a reduced capacity. Also, on several occasions, we had to close lanes to perform necessary repairs - which further reduced traffic capacity on Graham Road. We're currently completing our repair work; the signal should be working properly in the very near future. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation
I understand your comment, but even having one lane as a flashing yellow would be unsafe. For example, you could have a large vehicle on the outside turn lane (which would be the turn lane on the right). That vehicle could block the view that a driver trying to turn left would have for traffic that was heading through the intersection. There is still some construction set for this area -- mostly along Old Olive Road, that will be a part of the overall project. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thank you for sharing your observations. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks for sharing this -- I am checking with our maintenance and traffic teams to see if they have any more information. If I hear something on this while Road Crew is still live, I'll share it. Otherwise, I'll let you know what I find out in a future chat. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks for sharing your update on the signal timing. I did also ask our maintenance team to investigate this area this morning based on another customer raising a similar concern. I am told that they should be out there today. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I'll check with our Special Use Permit (SUP) group about this, and report back next week. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation
We work with the city of St. Louis to address concerns such as this. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communciations
What exactly are you seeing and when? Since timing plans vary depending on the time of day, and the movement of traffic, that will help our traffic team see if there are any improvements they can make. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I can share your observations with our traffic team so they can ensure that the roadway is signed appropriately for the area. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
What time do you tend to see this? Signal timing often varies based on traffic levels and direction. Any additional information can help our traffic team determine if there is an issue. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Thanks for the additional information -- I have asked our traffic team to take a look at this and work with the city of St. Louis to address any issues. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
The express lanes into the city will reopen when the construction at the Broadway Bridge over I-44 is complete later this summer. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
I am assuming you are talking about near the I-270 North project -- there are several striping updates planned as the project progresses through the summer and the weather is more conducing to striping. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Right now, temperatures are not generally warm enough for striping, but as we move into spring and temps warm up, our crews will be back out there. You can share specific information on striping concerns on interstates and state numbered or lettered routes here, or by calling our customer service team 24/7 at 314-275-1500 or 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) -- we'll put them on the list for when crews start striping again. Andrew Gates, MoDOT Communications
Under the I-55/7th St interchange it's quite the mess of potholes. Not sure if it's the City or MoDOT. The biggest potholes are where the concrete under the bridge transitions to asphalt. Also, the on-ramp to southbound 55 has a lot of potholes especially near the bottom where traffic turns onto it from southbound 7th.
Last week, a Road Crew chat participant observed that traffic had recently become very congested on northbound Hanley/Graham, near I-270. This issue was caused by an errant motorist, who in January ran off the road and barreled into the traffic control cabinet and a signal post at Graham and Calbreath Court, west of St. Anthony Lane. As we worked to repair the damage, there have been times when the signal has been 'dark,' placed in emergency "Red/Red/" flash mode, or programmed to operate in a reduced capacity. Also, on several occasions, we had to close lanes to perform necessary repairs - which further reduced traffic capacity on Graham Road. We're currently completing our repair work; the signal should be working properly in the very near future. David Wrone, St. Louis County's Department of Transportation