Where Are We Now?

Alternatives have been developed to arrive at three reasonable alternatives that the City of St. Louis and MoDOT have agreed upon for which conceptual design has been completed. Also, land use scenarios have been developed associated with these four (4) concepts. Trip generation from the land use was input to the existing traffic counts, growth in traffic held constant, to analyze traffic conditions at build out for the area.

As of September 2, 2003, the project team has reviewed existing land use, reviewed development opportunities and existing market conditions, zoning in the area, analyzed traffic information to determine impacts on city streets associated with the project. Evaluation of alternatives have been completed and reviewed by the study team.

MoDOT has determined that this interchange project is a stand-alone project from the City's 22nd Street Parkway Improvement project that has been placed on hold indefinitely at this time. Currently, MoDOT has also placed this project on hold to determine if other needs within the city are greater at this time. This project is still a great economic development project that could be constructed sometime in the future.

Currently MoDOT Right of Way Staff is verifying right of way information in the study area prior to holding a public open house for the public to review and comment on work done to date.

As of October 2002, the project team has reviewed existing land use, zoning in the area, collected detailed traffic information, and completed aerial mapping in the study area. Data has also been collected on roadway and bridge conditions as well as crash data and utilities information.

Where Are We Going?

The next major step in the process will be to allow the public to communicate concerns, issues and challenges related to the alternatives. A preferred alternative will be selected using the evaluation criteria directly related to the goal of the project. A conceptual/location study report will then be produced which documents the decision making process. Following approval of the conceptual/location study report, which documents the reasons behind the preferred alternative, an access justification report will be prepared to document changes to the I-64 access from this area. Preliminary engineering will begin as soon as this report receives approval by the Federal Highway Administration. The project is included in the regions Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in the 2005 fiscal year for construction.

General Intent of the Project

The I-64 at 22nd Street Interchange is the key entry into the St. Louis Central Business District (CDB). It will stimulate development of vacant land and reuse of older, underutilized buildings. The current interchange configuration consists of high-speed ramps, which take up a significant amount of state owned land that could be made available for higher density uses compatible with surrounding activities and supported by transportation infrastructure. The location of the interchange area is in the Locust Business District, a Special Taxing District and political subdivision of the State of Missouri, which is in the process of carrying out initiatives to revitalize the residential and business opportunities in the area and improve the economic well being of the area.

The current funding shortfall for transportation infrastructure in the State of Missouri calls for MoDOT to be even more fiscally responsible than in the past by providing cost-efficient infrastructure improvements, that benefit the community, the region and the state. In the case of the I-64 at 22nd Street Interchange, MoDOT has the opportunity to use its available assets, in this case unused right-of-way, to secure financing for improvements to the interchange. These improvements will enhance motor vehicle and personal safety, as well as improve access to the CBD and Locust Business District. Additionally, the project offers the opportunity to provide enhanced infrastructure to facilitate real estate development within the City of St. Louis. This financial strategy conserves the scarce funding available in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) in the coming years by leveraging land assets.

In order to bring this project to fruition, MoDOT, in association with the City of St. Louis, will integrate land-use and an all transportation infrastructure in the area. Once developed, a land use plan and a transportation network will enhance circulation and foster new development in the area for years to come. In order to succeed, we are working hand-in-hand with the public to better understand the community within the project limits.

Olive Street on the north, 20th Street on the east, the Scott Avenue on the South, and Jefferson Avenue on the west encompass the study area. The area of influence will go well beyond these limits, but for the integration of the project into the existing infrastructure network, this is the designated study area.

Goals and Objectives of the Study/Project

The primary goal of the project is documented as follows:

"MoDOT will prepare conceptual and final design plans to reconfiguring existing I-64 at 22nd Street Interchange area to improve public safety, traffic operation and to facilitate economic development opportunities in the City of St. Louis and Locust Business District by June 7, 2004."

• Improve the access from I-64 west to the Central Business District.
  
• Increase the use of MoDOT right-of-way for economic benefits to the City of St. Louis, Locust Business District, and the region.
  
• Increase property values in the study area surrounding the I-64 Interchange improvements.
  
  
• Increase the safety of the transportation system within the project area.
  
• Encourage bicycle and pedestrian use on the roadway infrastructure.
  
• Provide an urban streetscape that enhances development opportunities.
  
• Minimize design costs associated with infrastructure improvements.

Downloadable Files

• I-64/22nd Street Interchange Map
  
• Public Involvement Schedule