What is the current status of the project?
The Missouri Department of Transportation held a public meeting to discuss this project July 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO.
At this open house style public meeting – there will be no formal presentations – MoDOT experts explained the current plans for the project, including options for construction staging and the improvements to the bridges. The project should start in December 2008.
Participants will be able to submit comments during the public hearing, as well as ask MoDOT experts about the design and traffic plans.
What is included in the project?
This project completes the final phase to upgrade and rehabilitate the road and bridges between Lindbergh and 4500 S. Broadway. At the completion of this project, MoDOT will have extended the life of roads, ramps and bridges on or over Interstate 55 in this area.
Specifically, work includes:
- Removing and replacing the two Union Road bridges over I-55. This bridge will be built in the same location and will meet current highway standards.
- Rehabilitating the Holly Hills Ave. and Delor St. bridges over I-55.
- Rehabilitating the pedestrian bridge on I-55 north of Holly Hills Ave. This bridge will be retrofitted to become compliant with pedestrian bridge requirements from the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Removing the pedestrian bridge on I-55 north of Delor St.
What is the problem with the bridges?
The Union Road bridges, the Holly Hills Avenue Bridge and the Delor Street Bridge over Interstate 55 as well as the two pedestrian bridges over I-55 were built in the early 1960s. The two bridges over Union Road are deficient and need to be replaced. The remaining bridges need some rehabilitation work to extend their lives, except for the pedestrian bridge north of Delor St., which will be removed.
What improvements are planned?
Improvements include ramp resurfacing and fence replacement between Lindbergh and 4500 S. Broadway, as well as the bridge work. MoDOT will also upgrade signals, lighting and signing, as necessary, along the route.
What are the options for Union Road Bridge?
There are two options for construction on the Union Road Bridge. On either option, MoDOT will occasionally close the slipramp from northbound I-55 to Union Road..
- Option 1: Completely close the bridge (like the Lemay Ferry Bridge construction). This will take approximately 9 months and will save about $1 million. The 13,000 people who currently use the Union Road Bridge will detour on Bayless to the west and Reavis Barracks Road to the east.
- Option 2: Stage traffic across the bridge (like the Telegraph Road Bridge construction). This will take approximately 16 months. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction, so travel across the Union Road Bridge will take about twice as long.
What is the projected cost?
Currently, this project is estimated to cost roughly $12 million.
Will MoDOT need to purchase any right of way?
No additional right of way is needed for this project.
Project timeline
Public Meeting |
July 10, 2007 |
Contract bidding |
September 2008 |
Contract award |
October 2008 |
Project start date |
December 2008 |
Information and handouts
Who Do I Contact For More Information?
- Contact MoDOT Project Manager Shirley Norris at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636)
or e-mail Shirley.norris@modot.mo.gov
- Contact MoDOT Area Engineer Kristy Yates at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636) or
e-mail kristy.yates@modot.mo.gov
- For general questions, call Jack Wang , MoDOT Community Relations at 314-340-4163 or e-mail jack.wang@modot.mo.gov
