ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today selected the contractor for the largest highway project in Missouri history and the first design-build project for the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Gateway Constructors was chosen to reconstruct Interstate 64 in St. Louis from west of Spoede Road to east of Kingshighway Boulevard.  The $535 million project will include rebuilding the pavement, bridges and all 12 interchanges.  One lane will be added in each direction from west of Spoede Road to Interstate 170.

"I'm pleased to announce Gateway Constructors as the selected contractor," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn.  "We are excited to get all the improvements we needed for the budget available.  The construction schedule minimizes the overall length of closures, quickly completes major sections of the roadway and maximizes our regional road system as detours during construction."

Design-build is a project delivery method that combines both the design and construction phases to save time and resources.  Construction will take place in three phases beginning next spring.  All lanes of I-64 and I-170 will be open by Dec. 31, 2009.  Final work and landscaping will be complete by July 31, 2010.

"We're very excited about this opportunity, and we're really looking forward to getting started," said Brian Kaub, vice-president of Granite Construction Company, Gateway Constructor's project executive. "We know there will be challenges as we go forward, but we specialize in projects like this, and with our local partners we're confident we can have the same success here that we've had on other projects around the country. We have a track record of finishing on time, if not early, and we're confident we can do the same thing on I-64."

MoDOT also announced numerous measures to provide alternate routes for drivers.  MoDOT will stripe an additional lane in each direction on Interstate 70 and Interstate 44.   During 2008 and 2009, there will be no construction work on these interstates and maintenance work will be completed at night. Signals are being upgraded on Page, Olive, Manchester and Lindbergh to help move traffic more efficiently.  Gateway Guide system cameras, sensors and message boards will be operational inside the I-270 loop of St. Louis providing travel times on all the region's interstates.  A 511 telephone number will also be available to call for traffic updates and travel times.

The project Web site, www.thenewi64.org, allows citizens to sign up for regular e-updates regarding the construction schedule.  The Web site has been updated to include today's announcement and schedule information. 

"When construction starts, the Web site will give individuals the option to input the origin and destination of their trip and get alternate route directions," said Rahn.

The Gateway Constructors team is led by Granite Construction Company of Watsonville, Calif., with local team members Fred Weber, Inc. of Creve Coeur and Millstone-Bangert, Inc. of St. Charles.  Some of the other team members include Parsons Transportation Group, URS and Vector Communications.

The Gateway Constructors team will pursue subcontracting to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise companies for 16 percent of the work.  Workforce goals also include a 20 percent goal with additional incentives to exceed the goal to include minority, female and economically disadvantaged individuals.