Interstate 44 repaving from Interstate 270 to Interstate 55 

 

News Release: November 3, 2010

Two lanes closed tonight on westbound Interstate 44 from Lindbergh to the Meramec River to install pavement markers

 

News Release: October 25, 2010

MoDOT Increases Speed Limit to 60 MPH on Interstate 44 between I-270 and I-55 This Afternoon

 

OCTOBER 25, 2010: CURRENT PROJECT STATUS

• All lanes of eastbound and westbound I-44 from Interstate 270 to Interstate 55 have been paved.

• Lane markings have been placed on all lanes.

• Striping along the median wall and shoulders, and the installation of inlaid pavement markers will occur in late September and October.

• The speed limit will return to 60 mph in mid October.

 

 

TO VIEW PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASES, CLICK HERE

 

In 2007, Interstate 44 was restriped with an additional lane in each direction between Interstate 270 and Interstate 55 utilizing the shoulders as driving lanes.  This restriping change was put into place so that Interstate 44 could serve as an alternate route for drivers during the Interstate 64 closure.  Along with the additional lane in each direction, the Interstate 270 southbound loop ramp accessing Interstate 44 eastbound was modified to handle two lanes of traffic. The Interstate 44 eastbound ramp to Watson was closed in 2007 as part of the restriping and modifications to the Interstate 270 southbound loop ramp.

Starting in the spring of 2010, MoDOT will begin a project to resurface the lanes of Interstate 44 between Interstate 270 and Interstate 55 and restripe the interstate as an eight-lane highway (4-lanes in each direction) with shoulders. This project includes:

 

• The resurfacing of the driving lanes of Interstate 44 between Interstate 270 and Interstate 55. This resurfacing is important due to the condition of the driving lanes of the interstate.

• The sealing of the shoulders of Interstate 44 between Interstate 270 and Interstate 55.  The shoulders have been under heavy traffic and sealing the surface will extend their life.

• There will be several interchange ramps that will also be resurfaced during this project.  This resurfacing will also include the roadway sections between ramps at various locations along the Interstate 44 corridor.

• Installation of a new type of Inlaid Pavement Markers to improve the safety of the corridor and improve the striping visibility during wet or night conditions.

• Reconstruction and reopening of the of the Interstate 44 eastbound to Watson exit ramp.

• Reconfiguration of the Interstate 270 southbound to Interstate 44 eastbound loop ramp to a single lane ramp (currently a double lane ramp) . The current shared exit/ through lane on Interstate 270 southbound to Interstate 44 eastbound will be returned to an exit lane only.

 

Proposed Construction Schedule/Construction Impacts

The proposed order of work on Interstate 44 is:

Asphalt repairs of pavement that is failing on Interstate 44 in the eastbound and westbound direction.

Using black paint, cover the current striping on Interstate 44 eastbound and restripe the highway in a four- lane configuration. This work will take place over one weekend, weather permitting. The weekend of the restriping will be announced in the future. Westbound lanes of Interstate 44 will remain in the five lane configuration during this phase of construction. This temporary paint on eastbound Interstate 44 will be in place approximately one month while the contractors work on resurfacing of the roadway.

Additional asphalt repairs and resurfacing work will occur on eastbound Interstate 44.

Reconstruction of the Watson slip ramp. This ramp is expected to reopen in late spring.

Using black paint, cover the current striping on Interstate 44 westbound and restripe the highway in a four- lane configuration. This work will take place over one weekend, weather permitting. The weekend of the restriping will be announced in the future.

Additional asphalt and resurfacing work will occur on westbound Interstate 44.

The finishing work on the project will be the installation of rumble strips, shoulder surfacing and placement of inlaid pavement markers in both directions of Interstate 44.

Interstate 44 will be repaved at night, on a Monday thru Thursday schedule during off peak evening hours with various ramp closures beginning in late May-early June 2010. Upon the completion of the resurfacing, the permanent striping will be placed in its final four- lane configuration. The project is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2010.

 

To Contact Us:

 

Project Manager: Shirley Norris

Phone: (314) 453– 5032

email: shirley.norris@modot.mo.gov

 

Area Engineer: Kristy Yates

Phone: (314) 565– 5281

email: kristy.yates@modot.mo.gov

 

Community Relations: Jack Wang

Phone: (314) 453-1809

email: jack.wang@modot.mo.gov