Districts Impacted
What is the current situation?
Interstate 64 in this area has aged. Like the portion of interstate to the west between Spoede and Kingshighway completed in 2010, much of the roadway needs to be rebuilt to keep it in good working condition. This includes major work on nine bridges, including in both directions over Vandeventer. The eastbound interstate bridge has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced, while the westbound bridge is scheduled for significant rehabilitation. Plans currently include closing eastbound I-64 over Vandeventer for roughly a year to remove and replace the bridge, with rehabilitation work planned for the westbound bridge mostly after the eastbound work is complete. Traffic will be detoured onto city streets. Since the interstate over Vandeventer will be closed, and traffic detoured on Vandeventer and Forest Park Avenue, MoDOT also plans to work with partners to make improvements around the Grand interchange with eastbound I-64.
What impacts will the eastbound I-64 bridge work over Vandeventer have?
The eastbound bridge over Vandeventer Avenue will be replaced, and the eastbound interstate will be closed for roughly a year. Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto Vandeventer and Forest Park Avenue during the closure, and MoDOT will work with the city to monitor and maintain the signal timing along the route to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
While the interstate is closed, crews will also need to close portions of Clayton Avenue and Vandeventer Avenue during demolition and during reconstruction work when concrete, girders or other materials are being placed directly above the street. Typically, this work will be at night when traffic levels are lower. In addition, there may be work at night that directly impacts the MetroLink lines. MoDOT is coordinating with Metro for any work and will work with the contractor to avoid work over MetroLink lines while the trains are running.
The following eastbound ramps will be closed during the eastbound 64 closure:
- Papin Street on ramp – bridge will be rehabilitated during closure
- Bernard/Market exit ramp – closed permanently and connected to the new roundabout
- Grand Ave exit ramp – remove old loop ramp and connect to new roundabout
What impacts will the westbound I-64 bridge work between Compton and Boyle have?
The majority of the work on westbound I-64 will take place after the eastbound bridge has been replaced. However, there will be up to four weekends where westbound I-64 will be closed during the eastbound closure. There are some areas where the work on westbound I-64 requires the bridge to be supported from underneath – this would require the eastbound interstate to be closed, so it will be completed during the full closure of the eastbound interstate to reduce the overall impact to the traveling public. These weekends will be planned around major events in the downtown area.
Most of the impacts to westbound I-64 will require one lane closed around the clock for the roughly two construction seasons the work will be underway. The remaining two lanes of traffic will be narrowed and shifted around the work on the westbound bridge.
What other options did MoDOT consider to complete the bridge work?
MoDOT carefully considered several options – each of which had benefits and drawbacks. The other significant option was to move eastbound traffic onto the westbound bridge during the bridge replacement work. Although that option kept traffic on the interstate, it also significantly increased the amount of time that work on the project would be underway. In addition, since westbound I-64 travels over eastbound I-64 for a significant portion of this area, traffic heading to areas like Grand and Bernard would either have to exit the interstate early or go past the interchange and double back on city streets.
How should traffic get around?
Traffic going through on the interstate (into downtown or to I-270) should consider using Interstate 44. Construction work on these two interstates will be limited during the closure of eastbound I-64 to encourage other traffic to use them to get into downtown without going through city streets. Truckers heading through the area are strongly encouraged, if possible, to use I-270 and I-255 to detour around the closure.
Local traffic can use Vandeventer and Forest Park Avenue to get around the closure. Although MoDOT and the city will work together closely during the construction project to move traffic as efficiently as possible, drivers heading into the area are encouraged to consider traveling outside of peak traffic times; to use public transit, such as Metro; or to examine telecommuting. These options will not work for everyone, of course, but if the people who can take advantage of these options, traffic through the area will be less impactful for those who cannot.
Can this work be delayed until after the city has completed the work on Compton?
Doing the projects together means that this area would be impacted for roughly three years; Doing them separately means that this area would be impacted for six or more years. These projects are very close together, but the detour routes for each project complement each other rather than conflict with each other. One project removes traffic from Grand while the other will use the additional capacity. The detour routes themselves do not overlap. Compton traffic will detour using Jefferson Ave and Grand, neither of which cross Vandeventer or Forest Park Ave (since there is an underpass at Forest Park and Grand). Additionally, neither the work to replace the eastbound I-64 bridge over Vandeventer nor the city’s replacement at Compton can wait. MoDOT needs to address this soon to avoid more expensive, short term fixes that would have similar impacts, and wouldn’t address the underlying need to replace the bridge.
Project Displays
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board welcomes individuals to the public meeting. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 1 - Welcome
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This boardshares the needs and goals for the project, previously determined through the department's public meetings and outreach. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 2 - Needs and goals
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board outlines the public outreach completed to this point, and what the department has heard from that outreach. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 3 - public outreach
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the overall plan for the corridor from the recommended concept shared in November 2024. . For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 4 - what's included
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board gives an overview of all the work planned for this construction project. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 5-What Work is being Done
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the specific improvements being made between eastbound I-64 and Grand. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 6 - Grand interchange improvements
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the decision making process to detour traffic onto city streets during the full closure of eastbound I-64 to replace the interstate over Vandeventer. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 7-Deciding How to Move Traffic During Construction
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board outlines the detour map for the eastbound I-64 closure. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 8-How Do I Get Where I'm Going While EB I-64 Is Closed
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board outlines the detour map for the eastbound I-64 closure. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 8-How Do I Get Where I'm Going While EB I-64 Is Closed
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the signals that MoDOT will be monitoring and managing during the full closure of eastbound I-64 to keep traffic moving through the detour.. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 10 - Managing Signals To Keep Traffic Moving During Construction
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the regional detours to help traffic avoid the full closure of eastbound I-64. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 11 - Regional Detours During EB I-64 Closure
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the successes of the previous 10-mile closure of I-64 and the advantages this closure has over the previous closure in 2008-2009. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 12 - previously closing I-64
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the city grid around the closure and shows various locations around the city to show options to reach those destinations during the construction. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 13 - There Are Many Ways to Get to Your Destination
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the efforts to manage pedestrian safety while the interstate is being detoured onto city streets. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 14 - Pedestrian Safety During The EB I-64 Detour
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares tips for commuters and other roadway users to make their travels less painful during the closure of the eastbound interstate. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 15 - What Can You Do
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board shares the current schedule/timeline for the project. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 16 - Schedule
Information shared during the April 30 open house style public meeting about replacing the eastbound I-64 interstate over Vandeventer, rehabilitating the westbound interstate over Vandeventer and updating the eastbound I-64 interchange at Grand. This board thanks individuals for participating in the public meeting. For a larger, pdf version, please click here: St. Louis, I-64 public meeting Board 18 - thank you for participating
Downloadable files
- Fact Sheet- April 30 meeting
- SL - I-64 Board 1 - Welcome.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 2 - Needs and goals.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 3 - public outreach.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 4 - what's included.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 5-What Work is being Done
- SL - I-64 Board 6 - Grand interchange improvements.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 7-Deciding How to Move Traffic During Construction.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 8-How Do I Get Where I'm Going While EB I-64 Is Closed
- SL - I-64 Board 9-WB Bridge No Full Closure
- SL - I-64 Board 10-Managing Signals To Keep Traffic Moving During Construction.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 11-Regional Detours During EB I-64 Closure
- SL - I-64 Board 12 - closing I-64.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 13-There Are Many Ways to Get to Your Destination.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 14-Pedestrian Safety During The EB I-64 Detour.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 15-What Can You Do.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 16 - Schedule.pdf
- SL - I-64 Board 18 - thank you for participating.pdf
Project timeline
This meeting, held April 30 at 18 Rails in the Foundry, shared the preliminary plans for the project.
This public meeting, set for fall 2026, will share the final plans for this project.
This public meeting, set for summer 2027, is after the contract for the project is awarded and will share more specific information about the schedule.
Construction on the project is set to begin in summer 2027.
Eastbound I-64 is projected to close to replace the eastbound interstate over Vandeventer and update the eastbound interchange at Grand in fall 2027.
Eastbound I-64 is projected to reopen in Fall 2028
The project will be complete, including the rehabilitation of the westbound interstate over Vandeventer, in late 2029.
