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Road Crew

David Wrone of the St. Louis County highway department, Linda Wilson of MoDOT and St. Louis Streets Director Todd Waelterman will field questions about local road, highway and traffic issues for an hour each Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 02:00 PM CDT

comments & answers

Jane Townsend: When there is a separate traffic light labeled "Right Turn Signal", can you go right on the red light? Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Unless there's a "No Right Turn On Red" sign, you may turn right. However, you obviously first must come to a complete stop before doing so.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
jzeid: Another thing, the timing needs to be looked at for the traffic light at McCausland and Plateau, in front of the Olympia Greek Restaurant. We pushed the button to cross the street and it was probably 3 to 4 minutes before the light changed to give us a "walk". I know that some people were killed there a few years back crossing the street and we said that they probably got tired of waiting because the light wasn't changing and when I was there, I saw some people crossing McCausland with a "Don't Walk" sign, probably because it took too long for the light to change.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We will have our engineer verify the equipment is working, thanks
Todd Waelterman
Phillip: On 4-22-10 I was NB on I-270 to the new Highway 40 EB for the first time. I know highway is new and not all complete yet, but I suggest that you paint some lines on the pavement to delineate the lanes as soon as possible. Cars were all over the place in the rain trying to find the lanes, and the best guess is try to follow the expansion joints between the pavement pours which don't always match up to where the lanes should be. I noticed driving in Illinois they use reflectors on their interstate highways to see the lines at night. Might be time for Missouri to learn something from Illinois and find out about these reflectors, it is a huge safety issue and the last thing we need is a horrible accident with more deaths. It seems we are always behind until something bad happens, then we fix it (e.g. the I-170/I-270 interchange did not get fixed until several people were killed in a fiery crash). Let's learn lessons from other states and save some lives!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Your question is slightly confusing because we didn't change anything at northbound I-270 and 64. The project was east of there on I-64, so the striping has not changed at this location. Beside that point, we do get a lot of complaints about striping in the rain. We are constantly trying different types of striping and reflectors. We have a new reflector we are trying this summer. In the past we had problems with the snow plow blades pulling them off. We are currently installing a new design on I-70. If it works well, we will expand it to the other highways. Otherwise, the Patrol and MoDOT are always advising that drivers should slow down based on the driving conditions especially weather.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
streetdriver: On EB 64 between Hanley and Big Bend, there are so many skid marks on the lanes from so many accidents occurring there? bad drivers? what do you think. I know there are lots of crashes eb after the hillcrest at the Boland Place overpass. Too bad another lane wasn't in the budget.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Another lane was added. The exit for I-170 has its own lane now. In the past it did not. There is also an exit lane for Hanley/Brentwood.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Frustrated: Please dispatch a crew to adjust the timing of the traffic signal at Arsenal St and California Ave. This pre-timed light gives way too much green time to California Ave. There is very little traffic on California and as much, if not more, time is given to California as to Arsenal. I've seen motorists on Arsenal run this light out of frustration which creates a danger. Thank you.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We will check the timing and make appropriate changes, thanks
Todd Waelterman
Mike: What is the deal with the timing on the Clayton Rd. lights, particularly at the Big Bend and Hanley intersections (Big Bend is the worst)? Since the highway re-opened, those lights have been adjusted to much shorter durations than they were before the closure, and it makes my short drive from one end of Clayton to the other a major pain, with most of it spent sitting at a red light with no cars going the other direction. Can this please get fixed?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Clayton Road - at its intersections with Big Bend, Hanley and Brentwood - is under the control of an integrated/synchronized signals system. We can't adjust one intersection without adversely affecting all the others. All of these intersections carry very high levels of traffic, including Big Bend (between 24,000 and 28,000 vehicles a day).

David Wrone
St. Louis County
Mark: Hello and thanks for taking the time to answer questions--this is a great opportunity to interact.

I have two questions today:

1. I believe the section of Rock Hill Rd. south of Watson to Laclede Station Rd. is a County Road. Is there anyway to slow traffic down and increase the space between vehicles as it approaches General Grant Lane from the southeast? There is a mirror at the intersection, but it is basically useless because the traffic heading toward Watson Road is usually moving above the speed limit and tailgating. Making a left turn in the morning to head toward Watson Road is difficult and can be dangerous.

2. When the re-striping of I-44 starts, is MODOT going to leave the configuration east of Grand in place with dedicated exit only lanes to Jefferson, Lafayette and I-55 South? I hope so. Also, will the widening of the center breakdown lanes help with the trash problem on I-44? Shredded tires and other materials seem to accumulate there--today, there was a large rubber trash can stuck in the eastbound center breakdown lane at the Nebraska Avenue overpass.

Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I will have to refer your Rock Hill Road query to our Traffic Studies personnel for investigation.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
Chris: First off, I see my suggestion to move the southbound Hampton bus stop at Manchester southward 30 yards is happening - and already the difference is noticeable!

Now to another spot. As others have noted, I-170 southbound slows to a crawl a little bit north of Ladue, then opens back up after Forest Park Parkway. I believe I know what's going on there. During the I64 construction, in order to facilitate the higher traffic rate switching on to FoPo Parkway, a fourth (exit only) lane was made from a small section of shoulder. So far, so good. (I'm an engineering type; I noticed my commute was about 90 seconds faster after that change.) After the I64 construction was done, that exit-only lane was left in place.

Here's what I recall happening before the I64 construction: In the right lane (of three; no exit only) of southbound I-170, some number of people would leave the interstate to head east on the Parkway. Between this location and the entrance from westbound Forest Park Parkway, traffic from the center and left lanes of 170 would *not* fill the gap left by exiting traffic. This left room for traffic entering the interstate.

Now, because vehicles leaving the interstate have their own lane (and because those vehicles effectively leave the highway a couple hundred yards north of where they used to), traffic continuing southbound spreads out to the same (slightly lower) density on all three through-bound lanes, leaving little room for merging traffic from the Parkway. From that, jamming. Before, the center and left lanes would keep a higher density, and the right lane would have a low-density strip between the exit and entrance ramps.

It's counterintuitive; I can't believe my own fingers as they type this, but I'm suggesting that the exit-only ramp to eastbound Forest Park Parkway (whose creation I cheered) be removed. At the very least, perhaps it could be blocked off for a week as an experiment.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I can have someone look at this, but we don't think this is the issue. The continuous ramp helps the merging on from Ladue and off for the Parkway. The volumes on I-170 and on I-64 have jumped from what they were before we built the highway. We also have the reversibles closed on I-70 downtown. So there are just more people taking I-170 south to I-64 either to go east toward downtown, avoiding the I-70 traffic, or to go west. We also notice that people who spread out their work times in 2008 and 2009 are not spreading out anymore.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Paul Michalski: Manchester Rd in the Glendale/Rock Hill area has some interchanges that could be widened, particularly Berry Rd. and Sappington Rd. Since the businesses on the corner of some of these properties have closed, has any thought been given to making the interchanges have a left turn lane, a straight lane and a right turn lane? I imagine the problem would be funding more than anything else, right?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Absolutely funding is an issue. We have projects scheduled in the next year or so and beyond that there just isn't much federal or state funding available for transportation projects. Even though the corner businesses are vacant, the properties would still be costly to buy. We don't have any plans right now to make changes on Manchester Road.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Fozzie: Gravois Road evening rush hour traffic east and west of Hampton/Germania was heavy before the Morganford bridge work, but now it takes 10-15 minutes to get through the intersection. (Westbound traffic was backed up up halfway to Loughborough -- eastbound traffic was backed up to Heege.) I understand there are many intersections to manage, but the timing of the signals ought to be looked at now and in the future when Morganford reopens.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I will ask our traffic engineers to check on this.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Marc G.: Driving in South City, one will often come upon planters that are placed right in the middle of a residential intersection. A good example is the Louisiana & Pestalozzi intersection. What is the purpose of these planters (hopefully not aesthetics)? Also, when making a left at these intersections, is the proper procedure to make your turn in front of the planter or behind the planter? Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: These planters are placed as a mock up simulating a round about! When making a left you should go around(behind) the pots.
If the neighborhood excepts these, they will be replaced with a permeneant round about with plantings in the center.
Todd Waelterman
Susie: Why has the section of Vandeventer between Kingshighway and Detonty been made into one lane each direction with one turning lane? I have traveled on that section of road at least twice a day for 13 years and this change has done nothing but create traffic during both morning and evening rush hours.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: This is a planned improvement to calm traffic, we appreciate your thoughts on this mock up! We are evaluating this idea to be considered for final installation.
Todd Waelterman
browneyes83: Is it possible to post lane closure signs further in advance or even on those electronic traffic boards? I am so frustrated with people who don't move over until the very last minute therefore causing traffic to back up.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do use the message boards to post lane closures ahead. Unfortunately, you will always have drivers who will wait until the last minute just to pass a few more cars. It is very frustrating. No matter where we place the barricade that forces you to merge over, people will drive all the way down to that barricade instead of gradually merging more in advance to keep traffic moving.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Dan Gold: I notice that Ladue Rd east of route 141 to I-270 is in the process of being repaved.

Unfortunately, we really need Ladue Rd WEST of route 141 to Olive to be repaved. I did not think the the other portion was even in need of repair.

Please provide your comments.

Thanks
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Ladue Road is being repaved between I-270 to 141 as part of St. Louis County's The New I-64 operating agreement with the City of Ladue. St. Louis County assumed maintenance of this road as part of our broader plan to keep traffic flowing during the rebuild of the interstate. We agreed to restore the road - which bore a large volume of additional traffic during the project - after The New I-64 was completed. I regret to inform you that St. Louis County currently has no plans to resurface Ladue Road from 141 to Olive. Funds are simply insufficient at this point in time.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
bprop: Hello and thanks for taking questions. I mistakenly asked this in a previous chat with Metro but this is the more appropriate forum. What happened to the traffic lights at the Shrewsbury Metro station at River des Peres? For a while, there were cameras controlling the intersection. I had called a half dozen times to note that they didn't seem to work all the time (for instance, cars would have to wait three or more cycles before getting a green). Last year, I noticed the cameras were gone, and now the lights just mindlessly cycle regardless of traffic. Is there any chance of making that intersection a little smarter?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do have vehicle detection in the pavement at this intersection and it is functioning! Some of you delay may be felt during rush hour when the signal is set for high volume and secondary movements must wait for thier cyle!
Todd Waelterman
Anne Osborne: Just curious if MODOT or anyone has noticed that the round-about at Hampton and the entrance to Forest Park is a mess at peak traffic times. It is so close to the lights on Hampton that traffic backs up into the round-about and doesn't move. Just curious if there is any awareness of this and if so, can anything be done about it.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We are confident that when wells road and the zoo parking lot construction is complete, the confusion will be reduced and it will function as designed.
Todd Waelterman
darin: When will Vandeventer under the Metrolink bridge (just South of Forest Park Parkway) have all its lanes open? It has been fully or partially closed since I-64 reopened on December 7th. I know that Bi-State is not the model of efficiency in goverment, but come on! The Hanley Bridge over I-64 was completed in almost the same amount of time.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Metro has modified the plans to include work on the retaining walls. This work with require two months of addtional work.
Todd Waelterman
Commuter: Wondering what the really tall metal poles with what look like UFOs on the top (round discs with six T-shaped things radiating out from them are that are going up/recently went up, on the west side of I-170, just north and south of I-70. They're taller than any other structure on the interstate, thought maybe that had something to do with the airport.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: This is high mast tower lighting for the I-70 and I-170 interchange. We have this at many of our other interstate to interstate interchanges. The work just got started so the lights aren't on yet.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
mrdcblue: Hi, thanks for taking my question. How have the variable speed limits helped the traffic on 270? from what I can tell traffic is still really slow. Was this project worth the time and effort?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I-270 does have a tremendous amount of traffic and that is not going to change. The variable speed limit is designed to help pace the traffic as it approaches stopped traffic especially due to crashes. Some of our worse accidents are caused when speeding traffic crashes into the back of stopped traffic. By gradually reducing the speed from 60-40 mph, we are trying to slow the traffic and prepare it to stop. We are still researching the results to see if it has reduced crashes on I-270 and improved the travel times.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Phil: Why was the Morganford bridge closed for repairs at the same time that Interstate 55 has lane closures for the Union Road bridge replacement?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: It is spring, construction season!!!! We do not take this lightly, we(MODOT, city, County) have many projects planned, much planning goes into scheduling these project and arranging funding. This is a minor inconvience compared to a no planning effort. Please give us a break, Morgan Ford opens this weekend.
Todd Waelterman
Eric Bennett: I am wondering what are you planning on doing to fix the bottle up at the Popular Street bridge during rush hour in the evening? The New 64 is no better now then it was cause all it does is back up in the same place it always had.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The I-64 project stopped five miles west of the Poplar Street. We haven't made any changes there. The long term plan is to be able to redesign the interchange after the new Mississippi River Bridge opens in 2014. Currently there are three interstates that cross PSB, including I-55, 64 and 70. The new bridge being built north of downtown will carry I-70. Then we can redo the ramps at PSB when we don't have to have the I-70 ramps anymore. There is no funding to do this, but we intend to be ready in the future with a plan after the new bridge opens.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Scott: Something needs to be done about the lack of striping immediately east of the Clayton/Skinker intersection on eastbound Clayton; this is at the beginning of the entrance ramp to eastbound I-64. Though the ramp begins as two lanes, because the striping has worn off, drivers become disoriented as to where they need to be. Again, the other night, I was nearly sideswiped by a driver who assumed the ramp was a single lane. This happens all the time. Myself and others have reported this previously, yet nothing has been done to date. It is not fun for those of us who use this ramp daily. Thank you.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We will have it painted next week!
Todd Waelterman
Rob H.: Why is Interstate 64/40 always congested west of 270 in the afternoon? Are there any plans to solve this problem?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I-64 has been congested west of I-270 for many years. You have three lanes of I-64 plus a lane from both directions of I-270 all merging into just three lanes. Once you get to about Maryville Center, things open up. We are looking at some ideas, but we have no funding to make changes right now.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
lisad: On Missouri Ave in East St. Louis, the right northbound lane is closed. Why? It doesn't look like anything is being done and all it's doing it bottlenecking rush hour traffic in the morning. Are they finally going to fix the flooding problem? And what about flooding at 26th Street. Thanks!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do not have any Illinois representatives on our chatroom, so I don't have any answer for this one. I also don't know if this is an IDOT street or city street. You may want to contact one of them.


Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Tony LaGenius: Highway 55 in Jefferson county between highway m and highway z there are barriers in the median. I know they are replacing the exchange at highway m, but are they going to add a lane each way also, making it 3 lanes each way in that span?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: yes. We are adding a lane in each direction of I-55 between M and Z.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Harold Bates: I understand traffic volume at I-270 and I-64 / Hwy 40 in the evening rush, but why is it now backing up at Hwy 40 and Lindbergh at 4:30? That much volume in a down economy. One whole lane was added and traffic is worse today than before the new constrution. I really think you could build 10 lanes in one direction and drivers in St. Louis could still come to a stand still for no apparent reason.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have noticed that too and it is puzzling. I can tell you that the volumes on I-64 are growing more than any other interstate in ST. Louis. Most of the interstate volumes are down about 10% and we attribute that to unemployment. But, I-64 is UP with volumes much higher than before we rebuilt the highway.

The Lindbergh situation is probably a combination of the end of the school day for many private schools located near Lindbergh as well as some major employers along Lindbergh.

Linda Wilson
ModOT
SoHa Resident: Have the lights on Hamptom, south of I-44 been retimed in the past couple of weeks? I now get stuck at almost every light (Columbia, Watson, Arsenal, Southwest, and Flyer) on my morning and evening commute. Also, can the lines on Hamptom between Watson and Southwest heading south be redrawn? At certain times of the day and during certain weather conditions the old lines are easier to see than the new lines.

Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have increased volume on Hampton due to the Arsenal bridge work over I-44. We are working on keeping the rush hours flowing. We will have an engineer look at the timing and make changes if applicable.
Todd Waelterman
Mark: What can be done about the traffic congestion at the intersection of Compton and Market street? Drivers driving east on Forest Parkway are trying to get into the far left-hand lane in order to turn left onto Compton at the same time you have Drivers exiting from highway 40 trying to get into the far right-hand lane in order to turn right onto Compton. To make this situation even more dangerous, you have Drivers trying to merge into the middle lane in order to go straight down Market street. You also have the traffic light in the left lane with an arrow, but if you have someone in that lane that needs to go straight, the traffic is backed up because the left-hand lane traffic can not turn left when the arrow is lit. This intersection is a complete headache and mess. I have contracted MODOT in the pass and they said that it is the City of St. Louis problem and for me to contact them. I sent a letter to the City of St. Louis in the summer of 2009 and still have not received a response. What other options can be taken to notify the correct government agency that this intersection is dangerous and eventually will cause a bad accident?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: This intersection belongs to the City of St Louis. We will have an engineer take a look at your specific concerns and make adjustments. I am sure we can improve the function of this intersection.
Todd Waelterman
southsider: Mr Waelterman,

Are there plans in the near future to repave/repair Hampton between I-64 and Chippewa? As a south city resident who travels this stretch daily, I can tell you it's in desperate need of attention. For example, multiple potholes are developing northbound between Southwest and I-44. The southbound stretch in front of the Carpenter's Union Hall might as well be roller coaster track, the bumps and dips give one's suspension a full workout. And overall, the pavement is in deplorable condition. Have stimulus funds been awarded? Have city funds been marked to address this? Why were new lights put in place at Nottingham, not truly necessary, when so much attention needs to be paid to this awful stretch? Please get something done, my car begs you!!!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have applied for Federal Funds to assist in the resurfacing of Hampton from I-64 to I-44 to I-55.
Todd Waelterman
saffyres: I have another question: If a sign is affixed to a traffic signal, stating "left turn signal" does this mean left turns are only permitted on the left arrow, or are left turns permissible on the solid green in adjacent lanes? There is no red left arrow...

(Such as at the intersection of Lindbergh and the County Library parking lot)
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Left turns are only permitted when the "Left Turn" arrow is on.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
saffyres: Why are the traffic lights on Gravois set so that drivers hit reds at Spring, Grand, Cherokee, Compton, California, and - occasionally - Jefferson, during the morning rushhour (eastbound to downtown)?

It's really irritating.

Also, the lights on 18th Street between Chouteau and Union Station are set to switch to red on 18th even though there is no side traffic (from UE's parking lots). Also, the protected green arrow on southbound 18th under the pedestrian bridge at UE always goes on, even when no left-turn vehicles are in the lane.

In the afternoon, the light at the ramp from the new multimodal station always turns red on 18th even when no traffic is on the ramp.

All seem to have sensors - are they just not working correctly?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We(city and MODOT) will investigate and make changes as needed, thanks
Todd Waelterman
tobefirst: One more question. It seems that some of the lights I regularly encounter downtown have been adjusted, and not in my favor. (: The lights on Pine at 18th and 20th streets were in sync for a couple of months, but seem to have gone back to being out of sync for drivers traveling westbound on Pine.

In addition, has the north/south light at 18th and Chestnut been extended? I travel eastbound on Chestnut through that intersection and seem to be waiting longer and longer for the light to change in my direction.

If it is prudent, could you have these looked at/adjusted? If traffic flow in the different directions suggest that my minor hassles are for the good of the many, then that is certainly okay with me. I just thought I'd ask. Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: All these signals are part of an ongoing improvement project underway now. As this work takes place it is very difficult to maintain timing patterns! This project should be complete by mid summer.
Todd Waelterman
mpf: Is the resurfacing of Eager Road on the agenda? if so can you give an an approximate time work will start?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: St. Louis County has no plans to re-surface Eager.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
JJEugronus: Why does the pedestrian signal trigger at Des Peres and Forest Park Parkway NOT respond when pressed? I've wasted many precious minutes of my life waiting for that "walk" signal. I know there's no traffic sensors on Des Peres for that light, and it's just on an east-west traffic favoring timer, but I64 is open now! Please fix it!

The pedestrian signal trigger on the light at Des Peres and Lindell responds immediately! Good job!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We will inspect and make repairs as needed. Thanks for the update at Des Peres!
Todd Waelterman
leebert: I asked a couple of weeks ago about Weber & s/b I-55--passing lanes blocked off... why are they doing the work on each side of the highway instead of the middle first so we can stop the traffic jams day and night. Is anyone listening?? the crane in the midde median is just sitting there doing absolutely NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT they are working on each side while traffic remains very slow !!! can't something be done to stop this bone-headed idea !!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The median lanes are closed because the contractor has to build the new center columns for the new bridge. We have to create a work space in the middle of the highway for this and it is not practical to move the barrier wall. Once the center column is built, the contractor intends to get the lanes back open. The entire bridge has to be built and open to traffic by the end of November. We will get those lanes open just as soon as we can, but not until the center column is built.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Joy: Regarding bridge work on I-55, is there a more specific completion deadline than "Fall 2010"? Traffic is significantly slower during rush hour and finding an alternative route often is not faster.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The actual contract deadline is end of November to have the Union bridge open to traffic. The median lanes will stay closed until the center bridge columns are built and the contractor is finished working in the middle of the highway.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
spyguy: Why were the stoplights removed from the stretch of Broadway from Itaska to Bates? I bike that route daily (as it is part of the Bike St. Louis system), and without the stoplights there, drivers seem to think it is a green light (pun intended) to try to see how fast one can go in that stretch. Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We determined these lights were not needed for side street movements! We will pass your concerns on the the Police, thanks
Todd Waelterman
M Breen: Two questions.
1) When will the Express Lanes on I70 reopen?
2) When will all lanes reopen on I55 at Union Road?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We hope to have the lanes on I-70 open in early May. We will have to close them again in late June for the removal and construction of the St. Louis Avenue Bridge. They will be closed until sometime in the fall.
See my previous answers on I-55 at Union.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
LarryMarmie: I drive westbound I-270 to the Page Extension and then Muegge Road and eventually to I-70- westbound at Cave Springs to O'Fallon. The situation at Page/270 for the onramp is ridiculous and not safe. Any plans to update that on-ramp system there? The planning on that one was not well intended.

Also, can anything be done about the daily traffic tie-up that begins just East of Cave Springs and rolls at about 5 mph all the way past Bryan Road in O'Fallon? This area is constantly a mess. What are the plans for this area to ease traffic congestion, a daily occurrence.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have the contract under way to build a new dual lane ramp from northbound I-270 to Page Avenue west. You can see some of the utility work already taking place around the edges of the interchange. It will be finished in 2011.

On I-70, we have added extra lanes to westbound I-70 all the way to TR Hughes to help the evening rush. We would like to get a lane to Route K but it is not funded now. It's just a lot of traffic trying to use it at once.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
David Weis: Why does Eastbound Highway 40 traffic between Big Bend and McCausland seem to slow to a much greater degree during the evening rush hours? I call it the Bermuda triangle, because many drivers seem to mysteriously lose their previous pace and vanish into a 40 mph warp.

This phenomenon was consistent in the pre-construction years, as well.

Thanks for your discussion. Always read it.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Not really sure. Sometimes driver behavior is a mystery. It could just be all the merging from I-170 and Hanley and everyone getting in their lane, but you would think it would open up at Big Bend.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
slutide: As a recent transplant from the South to South City, this is the first place I've live where the roads don't have raised reflectors to separate traffic lanes. Going south on either Kingshighway or Grand past I-64 and I-44 in the rain I find myself not being able to make out the lane lines. While I understand that raised reflectors may not be feasible with snowplows and all, is there anything that can be done to make lane lines more viable in wet conditions?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Spring is the toughest time, as not many lines have been touched up thru the winter as you can expect. The crews are hard at it playing summer catch up on the lines in the city and area wide. I will make sure the above sections are high on the list, thanks
Todd Waelterman
Stacy Busalaki: Page East @ Schuetz Rd. 2 lanes going straight 80% of traffic. 2 lanes going left turn 20% of traffic???? Why not open three lanes going straight. Traffic is a nightmare.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We cannot permanently extend three lanes eastbound past the light at Schuetz. We have a plan to do this, but it is not funded yet. We also need the double left for Schuetz especially right now. We have construction at Dorsett and I-270 and many people will be using Page to Schuetz as a detour to that.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Aaron Green: Just wondering what the status of the I-70 express lanes are. I heard 2 months originally, not sure if it has been that long, but i was curious when they might open again.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: See my answer on this. It should open very soon.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Katie: Please explain to me why highway 270 has so many problems. It seems as though traffic always backs up at 270 and McDonnell Blvd, and the worst is between Page and Olive. Is there anything in the works to correct the horrible traffic problems in these areas? It is becoming such a problem. It is also a huge safety issue to many drivers at this point.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I-270 is just our busiest highway. It is our only interstate that connects to all the other interstates and it is just too busy especially at the peak hours. We are trying to work on some traffic management issues, but it cannot easily be widened. It's too expensive in property costs.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
John: This is about the lane closures at Union. One of my greatest 'pet peeves' as a driver is when the lane is clearly marked as close miles ahead of the closure and people just speed up to where it merges, instead of just merging beforehand. So you will be sitting there and people will be speeding past and cutting into traffic at the merge. What can be done about this? I had a guy cut in doing about 50 MPH the other days just to end up locking his brakes right in front of me. Which then just adds to the traffic backup. Would stationing a police car at the merge make people more likely to merge beforehand, rather than speeding up and merging at the last minute? This is especially bad in the evening rush hour. It just aggravating and I am surprised there aren't more fender bender there.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Amen. It is very frustrating. This is a police issue. I will pass along to the Patrol and see if they can do an Operation Protect there to enforce how people should drive.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
R: I understand that a major objective of the I-64 project was to clean up many on-ramp/off-ramp issues. Yet I have found that some ramp interactions are significantly worse. Specifically the Eastbound 40 McKnight on ramp into the Hanley/Brentwood/170 exit ramp is a nightmare to get onto or off of, especially in traffic. Also, the Hanley off ramp into Big Bend exit ramp is a problem each and every afternoon. People are constantly darting in and out of lanes at the last second. Can anything be done at these two interchanges?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We understand your concerns, but the on ramp from McKnight is longer than it used to be. It's just so close to the I-170/Brentwood exit. The best solution would be to close McKNight, but that is not possible. Part of this issue is drivers who wait until the last minute no matter what. That is just bad driver behavior. We are planning to paint on the pavement I-170 and Brentwood/Hanley to add more markings for which lane to be in.

Linda Wilson
ModOT
Joe Proehl: I saw that they are getting ready to restripe I-44 back to regular size lane now that the I-64 project is complete.

When will the eastbound I-44 exit to Watson Road be reopened, which will provide better access to Watson and Geyer.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We expect the Watson ramp to reopen sometime in the fall. The exit has to be rebuilt at I-270.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Ed: With the work on Highway 44 will the barriers be uniformly updated to the same height. Right now only certain sections are completed and much of the existing barriers between east and west portions of the highway are crumbling, out of alignment or missing chunks of concrete.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have no plans for this. Interstates are not all built at the same time and standards are always changing. As we rebuild highways, they are rebuilt to the current standard so this is common to have variations.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Jeff Sanders: On 270 North to 64 west or 64 east why is there not a double white like the 270 north at 70 West exit to prevent drivers at last minute cutting in front of a line of traffic to exit.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The double white lane at I-270 and I-70 is there because the Maryland Heights police have a commited police force to enforce it. They also have the space to pull cars over in the gore space at the exit. Without this planned enforcement, the double white doesn't do much good. The solid white already means you shouldn't cross. We do not have police commitment or an enforcement plan anywhere else in ST. Louis and that is why you don't find the double white line any where else.
Linda Wilson
MoDOT

Pat: There has been a lot talk about possibly removing the section of Interstate 70 downtown when the new Mississippi River Bridge is finished. It could potentially revitalize a lot of the St. Louis riverfront with more pedestrian friendly areas and more commercial space if it was removed.

How opposed is MoDot to removing that section of I-70 in the future? I have heard reasons against the removal because people coming from 55 can't go to north st. louis and vice-versa (which makes sense). Has MoDot done or will they do any studies determining how much the removal of that section would affect drivers? Does MoDot take into account the possible benefits a removal could have for downtown St. Louis?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Our district engineer is serving on the technical advisory committee for the Arch contest. Our position is that after we build the new Mississippi River bridge downtown, there will still be a demand of 50,000+ vehicles per day to drive the section of highway that runs in front of the Arch. Some of that traffic is north-south driving from north county to south county or vice versa. It does serve as an alternate north-south to I-270. The other significant portion of traffic is people who go to and from work in downtown St. Louis every day. We have told the groups that if they can develop a plan to accommomdate how these 50,000+ vehicles can get through, we are open to looking at it.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
shmee: How long before we start making smarter roadways(i.e. pig manure) instead of just covering up the old not-so-smart roads we have now, that just fall apart in a few years?(which just cost us more and more and more..... every time we have to fill the pot holes again)
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Transportation research is a huge field and MoDOT is very involved in reviewing and testing all kinds of new products. We are constantly updating products and techniques we use.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Pamela Glaser: 1) I64 Eastbound, where McKnight merges into the same lane where people have to move to exit northbound on the I-170...this is a MESS during rush house. In fact, it often is backed up to the Clayton Road Overpass, simply because people are having difficulty merging in and out of that lane and there are folks running up to the end and then darting over. What, if anything, can be done to smooth out the traffic congestion in this area?
2) I64 Westbound at the 270 interchange - traffic going Westbound on I64 is often slowed to a standstill past Ballas road. There was certainly congestion there prior to the rebuild of I64, but it is markedly worse now after the project is complete. Any thoughts on this?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Traffic on I-64 is growing faster than any other interstate in St. Louis. Part of what you are seeing is just growing demand to use I-64. There aren't any changes to made to eastbound approaching I-170 or to westbound approaching I-270. Some of it is that people can get through the new section so much faster they are getting to I-270 faster and adding to the congestion.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
swoop: What is the reason for moving 44 back to its pre-highway 40 construction lane pattern. I drive it every morning now and it has been moving great. Seems a big waste of money to restripe and close lanes that have been working fine for the last couple of years.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The Federal Highway Administration gave MoDOT permission to temporarily reduce the width of the lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet and remove the shoulders so we could add one more lane in each direction. We wanted to provide more space on I-44 as an alternate to I-64. Now that I-64 is complete, we are required to put I-44 back to four 12-foot lanes with shoulders. We will be resurfacing the road so it will have a new driving surface along with the new stripes.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Jennie: David,
I noticed in a previous answer that you had said that funds were not available to repave Ladue Rd west of Hwy 141. With all the new construction at 141 and Ladue will Ladue be repaved after the new, and highly unneeded in my opinion, Hwy 141 is finished?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: At this point, repaving Ladue west of 141 is not on our short-range (five-year) program.

David Wrone
St. Louis County
Marilyn McGee: I was wondering about the road work, that will be taken place, starting on Wednesday night thur Thursday on interstate I-70. Will I-70 be shut down, or is it just multible lanes that will be closed. I usually come east on I-70 as early as 4:25a.m. will I be affected by this, help!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: It is two lanes of I-70 that will be closed at Madison while crews set the bridge girders.

Check www.gatewayguide.com before you leave home and you can see the traffic congestion and camera views of I-70 and you can make a decision before you leave home.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
stldriver: I was wondering about Berry Road at I-44. I know that at that intersection, you can only enter the highway going Eastbound and exit Westbound. But I really wish we could access Westbound I-44 from Berry Road. Is this something that can be at least looked into??
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: It would be nice. We don't have any funding or plans to make changes to the interchanges on I-44 now.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
pucknugget: During a recent Saturday afternoon trip to Forest Park, we approached the Hampton Ave. exit only to find it closed on an extremely busy day at the park. So, all westbound 64 traffic was squeezed into the Skinker exit instead, causing a MONUMENTAL traffic jam into the park and a nice 75 minute wait. The eastbound Hampton entrance appeared to remain open, allowing those visitors to enter the park. Given that the road cones are set aside at this ramp, will the exit be closed on every day the park is expected to be busy? There is no notification of any Hampton closures; the small "use Kingshighway" sign does not mention Hampton closures. If you do continue this (for whatever reason since I don't think the road closure near the park is especially valid since there is an open corridor to the zoo, art museum, etc.), you should consider adding more signage to aid park visitors and prevent massive jams because of this closure. Nothing adds a dark cloud to a nice day than traffic jams caused by what appears to be unnecessary closures.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The city and MODOT have been working on various ideas to remedy the problem. This one may not have accomplished all it was intended to correct. Once the Wells drive and Zoo parking lot improvements are complete, we can back off our ramp closure plan. Please hang with us until this construction is complete.
Todd Waelterman
Steve: I saw a reader commented on the concrete barrier blocking the view on the I64 EB Big Bend Exit. I have noticed that on other bridges like McKnight and Bellvue. Also, it seem there are curbs very close to the entrance ramps on several roads (Brentwood, Mcknight, and Lindbergh). If you are making a left turn onto the highway and cut it a little close on the left, there is a nice 4" high curb to meet you. Couldn't those be cut back a little? I already see tire marks and chunks missing from the curbs.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The barrier wall cannot be but back because it serves as the protection to keep a car from going off the edge of the bridge and onto the highway below.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Delia: Can the message "Slower traffic keep right" be put back along Highway 40 (in particular), if at least on the electronic signs? The incidents of road rage and unsafe passing on the right are becoming more prevalent.
thanks,
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I can check. Many times in the city area, we just don't have space for these extra signs. We have so many signs to advise people of exits and other things. Typically the slower traffic keep right signs are found on the rural stretches of interstate.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Gene Rupp: When will the exit from east bound 44 to Watson Road be reopened?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: this fall.

Linda Wilson
Karen Sacco: Why does the traffic light at the Metro station at Gravois and Hampton make Gravois traffic stop when no buses are leaving that station? Also the signal at Gravois and Hampton (hanging in the center of the road) is impossible to distinguish from the two signals a few feet farther (hanging in each lane) for the metro station when traveling N/E on Gravois . MANY MANY cars think the light at Hampton is green and run it because of this confusion
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Often the addtional stop is set to protect pedestrian movements. We will have our traffic enginneer investigate your concerns and make changes as needed, thanks
Todd Waelterman
Ed: Thank you for taking my question. Will the stretch of 70 that was adjusted for the 40/64 project be repaved? If so, when? If 70 is not repaved, when will the highway be restriped?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: It is supposed to have pavement repair and restriping between I-270 and I-170 over the summer. The lanes should be back to normal by this fall.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Mike: Linda: I see signs here and there along I-270 denoting areas of "prairie restoration" performed by MoDOT. Most of these are in the vicinity of interchanges, but I notice one along a backslope between Gravois and Tesson Ferry. What does the Department do at these locations in terms of seeding and restoration, and what maintenance is necesary? With their relatively small sizes, what are the benefits?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We are trying to have areas of native prairie grasses. It is good conservation and it is left in a natural state so we are not mowing it.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Ron Taylor: Any chance the new digital signs can be used to remind drivers of the rules of the road.
This could be used to remind people to drive friendly.

Maybe a few examples could be:

Slower traffic keep right / Keep Right except to pass
Proper following distance is 1 car length for every 10mph.
Live and let merge...

These rules seem to go out the window in heavy traffic.
However, drivers paying attention to these would actually ease congestion.

Hopefully this remind drivers to drive friendly and everyone will enjoy their commute.

Speed limits are not the only rules of the road.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Thanks for the suggestions. We are constantly balancing having traffic information/lane closures on the message boards and informative messages. We have a cycle of messages that change throughout the year. I will share your ideas with our traffic engineers. These messages tend to run in off peak hours when we aren't showing traffic information.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
George Van Beek: Does MODOT have plans to reduce the afternoon slow downs on West bound Hwy 70 between Hwy 79 and O'fallon, MO. exits? Extending the TR Hughs entrance to O'fallon maybe help?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We would love to extend to Route K, but it is not funded right now.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Lando Griffin: I lived in Chicago for many years and around rush hour time they would have workers who helped move traffic and make sure rush hour went as smooth as possible.

Have you ever considered maybe putting a cop at some of the busiest lights around St. Louis to help traffic flow. Some place like Hanley and Manchester where it backs up or other places which might soften the traffic troubles while still not throwing traffic for a loop in further down areas.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: For what it is worth, studies have shown that higher volumes of traffic can be moved thru an intersection mechanically than with a person. Now I will say when we have large pedestrian movements along with high traffic volumes nothing is better than that officer to provide max movement and safety. We must balance our resources.
Todd Waelterman
tobefirst: I use the interchange for 270 S to eastbound I-64 a couple times a week. When it is raining, or has recently rained, there is a patch of road that is often very, very slick. Right after where the eastbound lane and westbound lane split, specifically on the eastbound lane, water seems to pool or drain more slowly than the rest of the stretch.

This caught me off guard once and I've proceeded to slow down each time I expect that section of the pavement to be wet. However, because it doesn't drain as quickly, it is occasionally wet even when I expect it to be dry. I'll continue to take this section extra cautiously, but I was wondering if you could have a look at it and see if there is any way to get the water to drain differently.

Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Thanks for the note. I will have someone check this. We have tests for pavement slickness. We may need to groove the pavement.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
cardsfan68: The Gateway Guide overhead message board on northbound I-170 between St. Charles Rock Road and Natural Bridge is close to impossible to read until you are almost directly beneath it due to the angle of the sign. Is it possible to have someone look at that sign? I'm not sure if it was turned, or if it was installed at that angle. It is on a slight curve on the highway, but it looks like the viewing angle overcompensates for it.

Also, is the Dorsett/270 diversion for 270 still on schedule for mid-May? How long before both northbound and southbound traffic are shifted to the western bridge?

Thanks, guys (and gal) :)
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I will have someone check the angle of that board. The boards do have a very narrow cone of vision so that it doesn't shine to the sides of the highway.

Southbound lanes of I-270 will shift onto the new bridge over Dorsett in mid May. Right now it is planned for the second week of May. The northbound lanes will be shifted in mid June. All the lanes will be available, but they will be narrowed and the speed limit will be 45 mph.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Steve M.: What can be done to stop motorists on northbound 270 from merging at the bottom of the entrance ramp at hwy 30. Motorist trying to get on to 270 constantly battle people on northbound 270 that feel they have to merge into the entrance lane immediately when the exist for 44 is 2 miles down the road. The biggest headache is there are (2) lanes merging into on at the bottom of the ramp for the motorists trying to get onto 270 and then you get a northbound motorists that feels they must merge right immediately at the bottom of the oncoming ramp. I have on several occasions been forced off teh road onto the shoulder or near collision because of the inconsiderate northbound 270 motorists. Can they put the flexible cones/divider markers up to stop the northbound motorists?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We can't do anything about this. It is just driver behavior. Some people merge immediately and some people dart in at the last minute. The dividers will just be driven over. We don't use those on the interstate because they would be knocked down right after we put them in.

Linda Wilson
MODOT
Ben S: How many times a year are traffic signal intervals reviewed? Seems like there are an awful lot of intersections that could see dramatic improvements in traffic flow by simply adjusting the timing of the signals.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Unfortunately it is more of a maintain what we have situation. Review does occur based on complaints or detours due to alternate route road closures.
Todd Waelterman
Paul: Everyday, I drive on Hwy 40 from Hwy K to Big Bend. Here are my questions:

1. What can be done to eliminate EB traffic backups starting around Mason Road each morning?

2. I assume that part of the problem leading to my issue in question 1 has to do with the 40/270 interchange. Why can't you increase the number of lanes on the exit ramps to 270 north and south to 2 lanes similar to what was done during the Hwy 40 reconstruction project? Traffic moved much faster and eliminated much of the traffic backing up on Hwy 40.

3. From my observations, it does not appear that "fly-over" ramps speed up the flow of traffic. There are backups on Hwy 40 on most days to the new ramps for 170. Why not increase these ramps to two lanes to improve the flow of traffic?

4. As predicted, the Hwy 40 reconstruction project gave us new pavement and new bridges; however, it did not improve traffic. I heard many spokespersons stating that it would improve with time. This is not true. Although farther in distance, I arrived at work much faster when Hwy 40 was closed. I traveled 40 eb, to 270 south, to 44 east, to Laclede Sta. Road in a shorter amount of time. I contribute this largely to faster interchanges attributable to expanded lanes and decrease in traffic on 40 between K and 270. Comments?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I drive this section myself so I am very familiar with it too. I have had lots of conversations with the engineers about it. The problem with eastbound is not the ramps at I-270. If you notice on your drive, once you get to Mason road the traffic opens up and you can drive close to the speed limit from Mason through the I-270 interchange. The problem is just the demand of traffic starting in Wentzville and all the way in. This is the fastest growing volume we have. It is just too many cars and every interchange adds more to an already full highway.

The I-170 ramps cannot be changed to two lane ramps, because I-170 only has three lanes. So we have one lane coming from eastbound I-64, one from westbound I-64 and one from Eager Road. If you made these ramps two lanes each, then you would have five lanes merging into three and that would cause a backup.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Kay Mann: Thanks for taking questions.
When traveling east on Forest Park avenue, and turning north (left) onto Grand Avenue, there is a traffic light in the middle of the overpass that appears red, but which I think the left turners from FP are supposed to drive through. (I think it is red to stop those who are traveling north on Grand.)

The problem is, most drivers don't get this. They think it is a red light for them and then stop, then the rest of the left-turners from FP pile up behind them, and are stuck in the middle of the intersection when the light turns green for those traveling south on Grand.

Are there any plans to clarify/fix this very confusing intersection?

Thanks.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: You are corect, this is a very difficult intersection. We are working on a solution to improve this, what we call a double intersection.
Todd Waelterman
jaminator: What is going on at 270 and Dorsett? Are they adding more lanes to the highway? Adding a cloverleaf? The construction is causing awful delays.

Also, When will the construction be finished at ($ and west clay by Lindenwood. This has always been a problem with traffic backing up, but now after the lanes have been added, traffic backs up even further, and it seems like the lights are shorter, letting less cars through at a time. When will this be completed, it seems like it has gotten worse, not better.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We are building a new type of interchange at Dorsett. It is called a diverging diamond. To see the drawings go to www.270dorsettpage.com. The new interchange will be finished by the end of the year.

I'm not familiar with a project by Lindenwood. Maybe it is a city project.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Diane Long: Wondering if the very short light at 55 and Bayless will be fixed soon. It only allows 3-4 cars thru at a time creating a long backlog of cars. This then creates another problem for left turners at the Webber/Gravois itersection because that light is very long. Please lengthen the drive thru time at Bayless and 55 and shorten the wait time at the Webber/Gravois left turn.
Thank you.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I will have our traffic engineer look at this.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
marc uetrecht: why are they raising the medians at zumbehl and cave springs overpass intersections? Also why are some road cracks and potholes being fixed at these inersections and not others
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have been doing pavement repair work to get ready to resurface the pavement. Once we put down the new asphalt, we will still have a six inch raised median. You should see the resurfacing at Mid Rivers next week.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
guitardrums: When is the Adelaide Bridge scheduled for completion? The aftermath of traffic flow is a logistical nightmare...Especially if a train comes through Proctor and Gamble...

In addition, when is the Cole Street bridge scheduled for completion? I think it's called the Cole Street bridge...It stretches across Hwy 70 at the 6th street exit...
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Adelaide is scheduled to reopen August 1.

I think you are referring to the Cass Avenue bridge. It has been removed but it won't be rebuilt until next year. We are currently rebuilding the Madison bridge and it will reopen by the end of June.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Kathy Klosterhoff: Linda, while you attempted to answer Harold Bates' question you simply agreed with him and never offered a solution. Does MODOT have a solution in the works for the congestion at 270/64? What about adding an additional lane to Clarkson or beyond?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do not have any plans or any funding to add a lane in each direction of I-64 between Clarkson and I-270. It would require the reconstruction of all the outer roads and a tremendous amount of property. We don't have any plans for that in the forseeable future.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Kevin M: When is work going to start on the northbound I-270 to westbound Page flyover ramp? How long will it take to complete? It seems like this area has really become a bottleneck since I-64 was completed.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Work has started with some utility work in the corners of the interchange. Some pavement work on Page just west of I-270 will get started later this month as well as along I-270 between Olive and Page in June. The new ramp from northbound to westbound will be complete later in 2011.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Bent: If and when I hit a pot hole or many pot holes and I get a blow out/bent rim shouldn't MODOT pay for these damages???

Why are the speed limits so slow on 270 and what is the cause of all the backed up traffic there everyday???
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: You can contact MoDOT customer service at 314-275-1500 and they can walk you through the process. It is typically considered a road hazard, but circumstances can be unique so you can file a claim.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT

Scott K: I drive the new 64 from Hampton and go to I-170 each day for work.

Originally this flyover was 2 lanes and now it is one really wide lane.
The traffic backs up horribly each morning.

Is it a safety reason to not have 2 lanes? Logistical at the merge to I-170?
Just seems like LOTS of traffic uses that exit and it is VERY crowded.

Also, can you add in those semi-permanent pylons to encourage drivers to get over sooner rather than later. People JUMPING in line REALLY slows down the exit ramp... I think those would discourage drivers from doing that.

Thanks for your hard work!
The new 64 is incredible! Well worth the wait!
I think it has been great and now maybe just needs some tweaking as you guys figure out traffic flow patterns.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: See my previous answer on the three lanes of I-170 and not wanting to merge 5 lanes into three. The ramps were designed to be one lane.

I also answered a question today about the pylons/delineators. We don't use these on interstates because they get knocked over. They also get in the way of our snowplows.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Brewster: A few years back there were cable barriers put up in the median along I-55. Now that they are adding lanes from Barnhart to Pevely, what is done with the cables and posts that were put up? Are they reused at another location or are they just scrapped?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Typically anything that is torn out when a new project is built gets recycled. Many times the items cannot be reused because of the design specifics of another locations. If not reused, they are different recycled and not set to a landfill.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Todd: I recently moved back to the area after being in Cincinnati for the past 4 years. Though the new hwy.40 was a much needed improvment, I don't feel traffic moves any more freely than before. Are there any plans to expand the St. Louis metro link down hwy. 40 out to West County Chesterfield/ Ballwin area?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do not have plans to build MetroLink along I-64. It was actually reviewed and planned for back in the late 1990s. The decision of the regional leaders was not to build MetroLink within the space of I-64 because it is not easy for pedestrians or for parking spaces. MetroLink was built along Forest Park Parkway running parallell to I-64. From Clayton, the future plans are to extend MetroLink to Westport Plaza and then across I-270 and down into the valley running out to Chesterfield Valley. Metro currently does not have funding to build this future line.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Bruce Colella: The left turn light to enter eastboung I-64 at southbound Kingshighway is noticeably shorter than the other turning lights (i.e. for those exiting I-64). I have waited three cycles to get through this light some mornings; many times only three cars get through (from a lane). I know, to keep traffic flowing, there is more interest in getting cars off the highway than on, but I think at least during the morning rush the left turn onto the highway should be lengthened.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Thanks for the note. I will have someone check this.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Vance: I have a question reguarding the building of the new I70 bridge from IL to MO. I live in IL and commute to STL everyday. I watch the traffic reports on TV before leaving the house. There is a traffic camera that shows the Poplar Street Bridge every morning. It seems to me that the majority of the traffic is on I64 and the 44/55 exit ramps. And there appears to be little traffic on the I70 exit ramp. My question is how will the new I70 bridge improve traffice on the poplar street bridge? I think it would be more appropiate to build a new bridge for 44/55 traffic.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The new bridge will take I-70 off the Poplar Street Bridge and provide another option to getting across the river and into downtown St. Louis. Once I-70 is off the PSB, we can then rebuild the PSB to provide a better ramp to southbound I-55. All options for a new bridge were studied including building a new bridge south of PSB. The north one was chosen with the idea of fixing PSB too. Unfortunately, we don't have funding for changes to PSB yet, but we are working on this one step at a time.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
leebert: Read my question again, why not do the midlle of weber & s/b I55 first instead of each side of the highway- do the middle first so traffic can get back to near normal, not October or November
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I understood your question. The contractor is working in both areas. Until he gets the middle column built, we cannot open the median lanes. We don't expect the median lanes to stay closed until the fall. The final contract deadline is to have an open Union bridge by the end of November, so that center column should be built long before that. We know this is an inconvenience, but the contractor just needs some time to get the work done. It's a big bridge to build in just seven months.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
gregl: In addition to your comments about people darting in and out of lanes at the last moments to merge, I think we also have a lot of problems due to people wanting to merge IMMEDIATELY where a ramp joins a road.

The ramp from WB 64 to NB 270 is a perfect example. The lane does not end until shortly before the Ladue Road exit, but you have a good number of people slowing down in order to merge as soon as the ramp ends.

People need to use judgment more often when driving. I don't think they do now.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: Agreed.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
TheRealDeal: The Vandeventer Exit (Eastbound 40/64) has the strangest "right arrow" I have ever seen. The green left arrow comes up, but to turn right is red. I don't see a sign saying "no right on red", so I assume that this is still OK to make. Why aren't the left and right arrows green at the same time? It causes so much confusion each day.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The reason there is a left green arrow, but a red for rights, is because there is traffic coming the opposite way making lefts. The intersection has limited sight distance and the two left turning movements are turning at the same time. So we want the reds to wait. You are correct that it doesn't say no right turn on red. So if you can see and can stop and make a safe right turn on red, you can do that.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Kevin Callahan: What are the plans for the old hwy 30 bridge going into downtown Fenton? Will it be eventually replaced?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: County Highway is rebuilding this right now.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
H2jjadt: i travel northbound on Schuetz Road to go west on Page. Can that traffic time be increased, say another 5 - 10 minutes to allow more cars to make that turn during rush hour?? Sometimes, traffic is backed up to Lackland Rd. and to turn at Page, with 3 lines of traffic, you may see that light recycle 1/2 dozen times before get the chance to turn at that light.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We have made some adjustments recently to extend this time. I will ask our traffic engineers to look at this again. We have to balance it with all the demand from westbound Page traffic too. It wouldn't be five-10 minutes. A total signal cycle is usually 2-3 minutes for all the movements.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Joe Hobbs: Are there any near future plans to widen or add a lane to the westbound boones bridge? This is a severe evening bottle neck in traffic flow. On average 10-15mph approaching and crossing and then back to full highway speeds once crossed. Thanks!
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: We do have a plan to build a new westbound Boone Bridge over the MO River. It is not funded. There is a natural slowdown on the bridge just because it is narrow and it has a steep grade. It was built in 1937 and we definitely would like to get this replaced as soon as funding is available.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Terrapin03: The evening merge from 170 South to 64 East seems like it backs up even more now than it did pre-construction. With the additional lanes on 64 west of 170 is this backup caused by new traffic using 64 or is there something specifically design-related causing this? Needless to say, my expectations for this reconstructed intersection have not been met.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: As I have stated in other answers today, the volumes on I-170 and on I-64 are way up. It is growing in volumes while other areas are not. We also notice that people aren't using the full length of the ramp from I-170 to eastbound I-64. The lane continues all the way to Big Bend, but some people are merging or slowing down right at the end of the flyover to merge over. There is lots of time to merge over.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
GDTRFB: Hi, Thanks for providing this forum. When I-44 is restriped, what will be the configuration approaching the Jefferson, Lafayette and I-55 exits? In the the pre-construction era the left lane ended about 1/2 mile from Lafayette, then the "new" left lane became the Lafayette exit. Is it possible that the wider lanes could end more like they do now, so that the left lane only ends one time?
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: The restriping will keep it like it is now. The fast lane will end with the exit to Lafayette.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT
Theresa: When do private citizens have the authority to stop traffic on public roads? I know of several churches who have people standing in the street and stopping traffic on major roads like Lindbergh Blvd. to allow their parishioners to exit the church parking lot. Traffic out of a church parking lot should not take priority over traffic on a public road.
Linda Wilson, Todd Waelterman and David Wrone: I have not seen this on Lindbergh, but I know there are a lot of churches in the City that direct traffic like this. This is between the church and local jurisdiction. So you should talk to whatever city you see this in.

Linda Wilson
MoDOT