MoDOT Has A Heads Up For Creve Coeur Area Commuters

The is warning drivers to expect delays on Interstate-270 in West County, on Interstate 44 and on Highway 40 downtown.

Beginning Saturday at 7 p.m., road crews will shift two lanes of westbound I-44 near Antire Road to eastbound lanes as part of an on-going pavement repair and resurfacing project. One lane will be closed around the clock in each direction until mid-September. In addition, the westbound I-44 entrance and exit ramp at Antire Road will be closed for the month of June.

"It's a major pavement replacement project that's happening. The big stuff has started this week," Kara Price, spokesperson for MoDOT tells Patch. "One eastbound lane is going to be closed and two are open."

Price also said MoDOT is seeing traffic delays in that area between 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. in the mornings which is causing drivers seven to 15 minute delays in their commutes.

"We're seeing that there's traffic backing up in the morning so we're telling motorists they need to adjust their traffic times," Price explained. 

At 10 a.m. Friday, crews will close all lanes of westbound Highway 40 downtown between Broadway and 21st Street. The ramps from 10th and 14th Street to westbound Hwy 40 will remain open. All lanes will reopen by 3 a.m. Monday. Drivers can take I-44 to Jefferson Avenue as a detour.

Beginning Tuesday, there will be daily lane closures on I-270 from Manchester Road to Big Bend in both directions for up to 15 minutes at a time all week long. Price said the closures will take place at approximately 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. During the closures, road crews will blast rock and then clear any rock from the interstate before reopening the lanes. 

The closures are part of the  The portion of I-270 near I-44 will remain open next week.

"They're starting up towards the far north of the project next week," Price tells Patch. "They're going to be moving south as they go along with this (blasting) project."

Price said although the entire project will take all summer, the blasting will be done over the next few weeks and in segments between Manchester and I-44.

MoDOT will continue to send Patch updates as the blasting continues to head south on I-270.

Price advises drivers to avoid the Manchester Road to Big Bend Road stretch of I-270 during the blasting times.

"The best thing that people can do is stay away from that area from 9:50 to 10:30 (in the morning), and then again from 1:15 to 2 p.m.," Price warned. "The reason we are saying stay away from that area is because we don't want people trying to get through that last minute and getting frustrated. We're only expecting 15 minutes, but anything can happen."

MoDOT warns drivers they will experience delays in these work zones, so motorists should plan accordingly and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

"We've chosen those times because we've been looking at those traffic counts and that is when the least amount of traffic is coming through that area," Price explained. "And they can't blast at night because of safety reasons."

Drivers should use caution and pay attention in these work zones. There has already been one

"Motorists really need to kep an eye out for law enforcement, flashing lights and emergency vehicles because they will be helping us shut down the road," Prices added.

All of this construction is weather permitting. 

For additonal info on road projects or on how to avoid the work zones, drivers can call 1-888-ASK-MODOT or visit our website at www.modot.org.