Why are we having a public meeting now with the job already under construction?

The purpose of the July 7, 2026 public meeting is to give a construction update, which includes discussing an issue MoDOT found during construction that will delay the completion of the project, along with discussing a potential option that could be implemented if the public is interested. 

What is the problem that was found during construction?

MoDOT found basements and old coal chutes underneath existing sidewalk, which is to be removed and replaced as part of the project between Rossiter and Francis Avenues. MoDOT is in the process of inspecting these voids underneath the existing sidewalk.  The structural inspections of the basements and old coal chutes within the buildings are being done in two parts.  A ground penetrating radar survey was used to confirm these voids within this portion of the corridor.  That first phase of the inspection has been completed.  The next phase will be actual structural inspections within the buildings.  These inspections have been completed. (June 2026).

What is the potential option that you are presenting during the July 2026 meeting?

MoDOT has two options for the Route 115 corridor from Ridgedale Ave. to the St. Louis City limits east of Jennings Station Rd.  MoDOT can construct the project as currently designed, with two lanes in each direction of Route 115.  Or MoDOT can construct a lane reduction from Ridgedale Ave. to the east where it would tie into the existing lane reduction at the St. Louis City limits.  Regardless of which option is constructed, the project will be delayed until a structural design can be completed to make repairs to any sidewalk over basements or old coal chutes.

Will MoDOT have to acquire any additional easements to access buildings for any structural repairs?

MoDOT acquired many easements as part of the project.  If MoDOT can stay within the footprint of those current acquisitions, then no additional easements would be needed.  However, if access is required within the building to make repairs, then an additional temporary construction easement would need to be acquired.  MoDOT will reach out to any impacted property owner once MoDOT has a structural design for those repairs.

Why stick with the current proposed improvements along the corridor?

Since the last public meeting was held in January 2023, MoDOT’s intention was to complete the project maintaining the two existing lanes in each direction along Route 115, from Route U (Lucas-Hunt) to the St. Louis City limits.  However, once the construction issue was discovered, MoDOT decided to reach out to residents and businesses along the corridor to see if they thought the lane reduction could be extended west from St. Louis City as this might expedite the construction of the new sidewalk and ADA facilities prior to any repairs to those sidewalks over the basements and old coal chutes.

Why change things at this time and go with a lane reduction instead of keeping two lanes open in both directions of Route 115 from Ridgedale Ave. to the St. Louis City limits?   

MoDOT recently completed an after-project study of Route 115 in the St. Louis City limits, east of this project.  What we found was significant decreases in both speed and crashes in those sections that received a lane reduction. MoDOT preferred to build the project as currently designed with two lanes in each direction but given the delay due to what was found during construction, MoDOT thought it was prudent to ask the residents to provide feedback on this option as a lane reduction would do the following:

• Reduce Speeds
• Reduce Crashes
• Shorten the distance for the three mid-block crossings being provided within this section, including west of Pine Grove Ave., east of Rossiter Ave. and east of Francis Ave.
• Allow for a bus pull-out area along Route 115 east of Francis Ave. to be constructed as part of MoDOT’s project without any further property acquisitions.

What is the new timeline for completion of the project?

The new completion date for this project is unknown.  Once MoDOT has determined the best way forward after the inspection of the buildings and the July 7, 2026 public meeting, MoDOT and its consultants will work on any changes to the design which at the very least will include structural fixes to sidewalk over basements and old coal chutes.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The main purpose of this project is to resurface the roadway and upgrade the signals, lighting, sidewalks and ADA facilities along the corridor, which runs from Route U (Lucas-Hunt Road) to the St. Louis City limits east of Jennings Station Road.  In addition, the City of Pine Lawn was able to secure additional funding for pedestrian lighting, enhanced pedestrian crossings and stamped concrete in their section of the Route 115 corridor.  The items that still need to be addressed on this project include the resurfacing of Route 115 from west of Avondale Ave. to the St. Louis City limits, sidewalk and ADA facilities from Pine Grove Ave. to Jennings Station Road, new mid-block pedestrian crossings within the same area as new sidewalk and ADA facilities, and the enhancements secured by the City of Pine Lawn.

What is the cost of the project?

The cost of the project is approximately $5.8 million.

I don’t like lane reductions – why are you proposing it here?  Why can’t we just keep the route the way it is with two lanes in each direction?

MoDOT can certainly keep the route the way that it currently is with two lanes in each direction.  Given the additional safety benefits that we’ve seen within the St. Louis City’s section of Route 115, it made sense to see If the public using the corridor, at least for a short section between Ridgedale Ave. and St. Louis City, would think there also might be enough benefit to change course and do something different.  One question to ask yourself is, "How much impact did you experience during construction with reduced traffic lanes?" If the answer to this question, is you experienced minimal interruption and few delays, then should the public reconsider and support extending the lane reduction for approximately another half-mile to the west of St. Louis City, while seeing the additional benefits described above. 

Will additional mid-block crossings be installed to help me cross Route 115?

MoDOT is committed to building three mid-block crossings from west of Pine Grove Ave. to east of Francis Ave. whether we have two lanes in each direction on Route 115, or if we have a lane reduction in this same section.  

Will bus stops be upgraded on this job?  

MoDOT is working with both METRO and the City of Pine Lawn to potentially add benches for sitting at a few bus stops along the Route 115 corridor.  The bus pull-out area east of Francis Ave. would only be constructed as part of MoDOT’s project if the lane reduction option is implemented.  

What safety improvements are you making on this project?

• Upgrading sidewalk and ADA facilities 
• Resurfacing the roadway 
• Restriping, including the use of continental striping for crosswalks
• Installing median islands where it makes sense
• Improving lighting along the corridor 
• Providing mid-block crossings at numerous locations along the corridor, and 
• With the financing from the City of Pine Lawn, providing pedestrian level lighting along the section within the City of Pine Lawn’s limits.