ST. LOUIS - Traffic speeds were above normal on the interstate system, although traffic volumes were still relatively close to normal. Some arterial routes, such as portions of Lindbergh and Olive Blvd., are seeing a significant increase in traffic.

"People are continuing to check out the alternate routes available to them and determining which of those alternates are the best," said Tom Blair, MoDOT assistant district engineer. "Over the past three days, we have seen significant increases and decreases along arterials. We still have very good flow along the interstate system, with only usual interstate slowdowns, especially after minor crashes. The last three days have allowed us to hone signal timing and make recommendations for alternate routes as traffic ramps up to normal volumes next week."

As traffic moves to normal volumes, MoDOT has some information available to help commuters make better decisions about which routes to use during morning and evening rush. By surfing to MoDOT's website at www.modot.org/stlouis/, commuters can see when travel times are greatest along interstates and major state and county arterial routes. Drivers can click on the link on the page to "Get Details on Traffic Rush Times." Information on morning rush travel is usually posted by 3 p.m. each afternoon and evening rush travel is usually posted by 9 a.m. each morning.

Additionally, commuters can use Gateway Guide, 511 or the wealth of other traffic information sites in St. Louis.  "It's important for people to be aware of traffic before the leave on their commute," Blair said.

Rush Period: 

• Time = 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Summary of Trouble Spots:

• Increases in travel times on Manchester, Page, Olive, Lindbergh and Route 141. Most of those were about 10 percent above "normal" travel times.
• Replaced faulty signal controller on Lindbergh at Ladue. No impact on current traffic flow.
• Page and Olive are seeing a lot of traffic congestion from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Warson at Ladue backed up due to striping, until crews departed the area.
• St. Louis County is monitoring southbound Hanley to see if they can give more green time to southbound Hanley at Eager Road. Motorists might want to use Brentwood as an alternate route.

Incident Report:

• Motorist assist and I-64 traffic response had 68 assists during evening rush, with 16 in a traffic lane. They responded to 13 crashes during evening rush.

Possible alternates:

• MoDOT engineers noticed there was additional availability for traffic on Lindbergh, Watson, St. Charles Rock Road and Manchester.

Metro information:

• Beginning Monday, MoDOT will be putting up signs showing that spaces are available at Park Ride Lots at North Hanley MetroLink Station (on I-70) and Shrewsbury MetroLink Station(on I-44).

For more information on the I-64 project, visit http://www.thenewi64.org/, and for real-time traffic information, visit http://www.gatewayguide.com/.