Missouri Route 366 Sidewalk/ADA Improvements in St. Louis and St. Louis City

What is the current situation?

The Missouri Department of Transportation has a two-year project scheduled  for Missouri Route 366 (Watson Road) between Geyer and the city of St. Louis limits starting in 2024.  During that project, the department will be resurfacing the roadway as well as making updates  to the roadway’s pedestrian facilities. All existing sidewalks and crosswalks need to be updated to be meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. There are some sections of sidewalk that are being connected, as well.  In addition, many of the signals along the corridor will be updated. During this project, the department also needs to replace the bridge over Gravois Creek – between Brookview Drive and Pardee Lane --- as it has reached the end of its useful life.

What improvements are being made?

The department is updating sidewalks along the corridor to meet Americans with Disabilities act requirements. As a part of that,  the department is updating many of the pedestrian signals along the corridor to make them compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This includes updated pedestrian improvements  near Watson and Oakknoll Manor Drive and near the bus stop by Hope Community senior center. In addition, the department is replacing the bridge over Gravois Creek, between Brookview Drive and Pardee Lane.  

After the public meeting, what changes were added to the plans?

Based on discussions with the public, the following changes were added to plans going forward:

• Added a crosswalk across Watson at the Grant Road intersection.
• Reconfigured the southbound approach at Grant Road to reduce blocking.
• Added an eastbound left turn lane into Yorkshire Village shopping center.
• Confirmed that Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons will be placed at two mid-block locations, including the existing crossing at Cardinal Ritter.
• Switched all crosswalk markings to continental type markings for higher visibility.

Are bike facilities included in this project?

Since traffic volumes along Watson Road along this stretch are fairly high, Watson will remain signed to remind drivers to share the road with cyclists. The Grant’s Trail crossing near Pardee will be upgraded to include block striping, instead of standard crosswalk striping.  This will make the crossing more visible.

What are the impacts from the project?

For the most part, impacts during the construction should be relatively minimal. Crews will replace the bridge over Gravois Creek half at a time, starting with the outside lanes.  The department is still working through specifics for potential impacts to property near the bridge. Sections of sidewalks will be closed for periods as crews work on the updates.  Drivers can also expect one lane closed in either during non-peak traffic hours while signals and sidewalks are updated.  Business owners with multiple driveways will have at least one access point into their business at all times through construction. Crews will work on half of the access point at a time when there is only one entrance/exit from a business.  Residential driveways are too small to complete half at a time – driveways will need to be closed for several days when they are being worked on.  We anticipate that the contractor will be able to share a general timeframe when they anticipate being in the area -- probably about a week or two in advance.

Did MoDOT consider completely closing the bridge over Gravois Creek?

Yes, the department did consider fully closing the bridge.  However, traffic volumes along this section of Watson Road are fairly high and potential detours would significantly impact businesses around the bridge, as well as those along any alternate routes.

What is the timeline?