ST LOUIS -I-70 Blanchette Missouri River Bridge traffic continues to flow well during rush hours as motorists are spreading out between the alternate routes of Route 370 and Route 364.  At the end of the first week of I-70 reduced from 10 lanes total to six lanes, motorists need to continue to stay off I-70 during the evening rush hours and use the alternates.

Overall for the total morning and evening rush periods on I-70 have increased slightly each day this week with the lowest traffic volumes on Monday, the first day of the lane reduction.  Morning backups have been occurring eastbound I-70 at Route 94, while evening backups have been occurring westbound I-70 between I-270 and Earth City.  Traffic on the alternate routes 370 and 364 has been flowing at the speed limit.

"If motorists continue to come back to I-70 during rush hours, we are right on the tipping point of having more severe backups," said MoDOT St. Louis Assistant District Engineer Bill Schnell. "Friday night is especially busy on westbound I-70 and motorists should be prepared for stopped traffic on the bridge to the Fifth Street exit.  To avoid delays tonight, take Route 364 to Arena Parkway or Route 370 to Route 94/Third Street to get into downtown St Charles.

The traffic was monitored in Thursday night's evening rush.  Here is the worst time to travel in the p.m. rush before and after the I-70 lane reduction on the four river crossings:

The traffic was also monitored this morning for the Friday a.m. rush.  Friday morning typically has the lightest volume rush hour for the week.  Here is the worst time to travel in the a.m. rush before and after the I-70 lane reduction on the four Missouri River crossings:

Along with the I-70 lane closures, the ramp from northbound Fifth Street to eastbound I-70 remains closed until Fall 2013.  MoDOT is performing $63 million in major rehabilitation to the 54-year-old westbound bridge.  For more information on the project, visit www.modot.org/blanchettebridge.

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