Districts Impacted
Project timeline
MoDOT and its partners walk along the corridor to assess and document any current traffic trends and roadway conditions.
MoDOT and its partners will meet with an invited group of individuals (a focus group) to discuss the corridor and potential issues that they observe. In addition, the department gathered concerns from the public in a public meeting,.
With the information gathered from the site visit and the focus group, the design team will start developing some initial plans
The department met with interested stakeholders to get feedback on some of the proposals for the corridor.
In summer 2023, the department will host safety demonstration along the corridor, demonstrating some of the proposals for suggested corridor updates.
Once some of the initial designs have been determined, the department will once again talk with a select group of stakeholders to verify that these concepts are in line with the vision that the community has shared.
From the information gathered during the second meeting, the initial conceptual plans will be modified and finalized.
A final public meeting will share the plans for the corridor.
Construction on this project is slated to begin in 2026, at this time.
What is the situation?
In 2026, MoDOT is planning to resurface Route D (Page Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive) from Skinker/Kienlen Avenue to Tucker Boulevard. During a resurfacing project, it is the right time to determine what improvements may be made to the road to make it safer and to make it operate more efficiently and effectively.
For the past several years, MoDOT has been evaluating the Route D corridor and talking to the community to determine what issues residents, business owners and commuters experience along the corridor, and what potential safety measures they would consider in an effort to help ensure the roadway meets the vision for the community and remains safe.
This is very similar to the process that was completed along Natural Bridge within the city limits a few years ago.
In March 2023, the department started a road safety audit to assess existing traffic trends and roadway conditions, to evaluate alternatives and to work with the community to develop community-supported designs that address the community’s issues and needs. Recommendations from that study are incorporated into the resurfacing project.
Recent safety audit photos
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
MoDOT and its partners recently conducted a safety audit along Route D in the city of St. Louis as part of preparations for upcoming construction along the corridor.
Conceptual plan displays
An overview of the Route D safety and resurfacing project in the city of St. Louis set for 2-026. For a larger, pdf view, please click here: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - Overview
Display showing planned improvements along Route D in the city of St. Louis between the St. Louis City limits and Arlington. For a larger, pdf view, please click this link: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - City limits to Arlington
Display showing planned improvements along Route D in the city of St. Louis between Union and Cora. For a larger, pdf view, please click this link: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - Union to Cora
Display showing planned improvements along Route D in the city of St. Louis between Cora and Vandeventer. For a larger, pdf view, please click this link: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - Cora to Vandeventer
A display showing planned improvements along Route D in the city of St. Louis between Vandeventer and Leffingwell Lane. For a larger, pdf view, please click this link: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - Vandeventer to Leffingwell
A display showing planned improvements along Route D in the city of St. Louis between Cole and Tucker Ave. For a larger, pdf view, please click this link: Route D, St. Louis City, 2026 - Cole to Tucker
An overview of crashes along Route D in the city of St. Louis between 2020 and 2024. For a larger, pdf, please click the link: Route D, St. Louis City, Crash overview.
An overview of the use and anticipated look for the Rapid Flashing Beacons along Route D in the city of St. Louis, intended to help keep pedestrians safer. For a larger, pdf view, please click the link: St. Louis Route D Rapid Flashing Beacon overview.
This shows the latest information on the results of the road diet currently in place along Natural Bridge (Route 115) in the city of St. Louis. For a larger, pdf view, please click here: St. Louis City - Road Diet Results, Natural Bridge.
Project information
- Conceptual plans fact sheet
- How to use a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon
- St. Louis City Route D, 2026, Overview
- St. Louis City Route D conceptual plans, 2026, City limits to Arlington
- St. Louis City Route D conceptual plans, 2026, Union to Cora
- St. Louis City Route D conceptual plans, 2026, Cora to Vandeventer
- St. Louis City Route D conceptual plans, 2026, Vandeventer to Leffingwell
- St. Louis City Route D conceptual plans, 2026, Cole to Tucker
- St. Louis City, Route D Crash Overview
- SL Rapid Flashing Beacon Overview
- SL Road Diet Results from Natural Bridge in STL City
What is the proposal?
The project area extends almost six miles along Route D between Skinker Boulevard on the west to Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, then Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to Tucker Boulevard to the east.
Planned work includes replacing the asphalt driving surface, updating striping and crosswalk markings, installing some new signal equipment and a combination of safety improvements.
Based on the discussions with the community, those safety improvements include reducing the number of lanes (road diet) or reducing the width of lanes (lane diet), installing concrete median strips in targeted areas to discourage passing in the center turn lanes, adding buffers around parking lanes to allow an area for open doors, installing pedestrian refuge islands to reduce crossing lengths for pedestrians and pairing those with flashing warning beacons at several non-signalized pedestrian crossings.
Too many lives have been lost or changed due to roadway crashes on Rte. D (Page & MLK). These safety improvements are intended to work together to reduce speeding and aggressive driving, as well as making the roadway safer for pedestrians by shortening how much space they need to cross and placing pedestrian crossing warning signs closer to the roadway.
What about aesthetic improvements on the corridor?
One of the more prevalent comments the department received during the process was to make any improvements more aesthetic – to add trees or other greenery either alongside the road or in the medians and to include additional lighting along the streets. In those locations where landscaping elements are included in a project, they are paid for, and maintained by, the local municipality. In this case, this would have to be funded by and maintained by the city of St. Louis. People who would be interested in these types of improvements along the portions of Route D (Dr. MLK Drive/Page Boulevard) should reach out to their ward alderperson.
Demonstration videos
What were the results of the study?
During the road safety audit, the department saw a significant amount of speeding along the corridor, as well as extremely aggressive driving, where drivers used shoulders, parking lanes or other methods to weave around traffic. Over time, this has lead to a significant number of crashes on the corridor. This stretch has a crash rate that is six times the statewide crash rate for similar roadways. In the five years between 2020 to 2024, there were a total of 1,100 crashes including 14 fatal crashes and 85 serious injury crashes. Five of the fatal crashes and eight of the serious injury crashes involved pedestrians. Since this study began in 2023, there have been six fatalities, of which three were pedestrians. There have also been 28 serious injuries, including five pedestrians, and 250 minor injuries, including five pedestrians in that time as well.
During the study, residents, business owners, commuters and other interested individuals shared many of the same concerns about high levels of speed and aggressive driving. During a safety demonstration in summer 2023, the department shared how various safety measures could slow down and improve the flow of traffic without impacting the ability of traffic to move through the area, even during periods of high volume.
During the demonstration, attendees could share their thoughts on the safety measures and provided a lot of input on those measures they thought were the most helpful and appropriate for the corridor. They included center medians, curb bump outs, pedestrian refuge islands and road and lane diets.
Possible countermeasures
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. This shows narrowed lanes, which can help reduce speeding.
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. A road diet removes one or more lanes from a roadway, where traffic levels are low enough. This can help reduce speeding.
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. A raised median lanes going opposite directions can help reduce aggressive driving and improper lane use.
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. Here, pedestrian refuges can provide a safer pedestrian stopping point as pedestrians cross the road, potentially making pedestrian crossings safer.
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. In this case, a buffer lane can help reduce crashes with parked cars
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. Curb extensions extend the sidewalk or curb out into the parking lane, which reduces the street width. This can help reduce parked car crashes.
Various tools may be used to help make roadways safer. This shows a lateral roadway shift, which causes a straight roadway to job to one side. This can help reduce speeding.
Potential Countermeasure fact sheets
What are MoDOT’s responsibilities on Route D?
MoDOT has a maintenance agreement with the city of St. Louis for certain roads within the city limits. MoDOT is responsible for maintaining signals, signs, striping, sweeping and pavement maintenance on Route D. St. Louis City retains ownership and responsibility for everything else. During this process, MoDOT will work with the city of St. Louis to evaluate and consider other safety improvements outside of the above maintenance responsibilities.
For concerns beyond MoDOT’s responsibility, please contact the city of St. Louis citizens service bureau at 314-622-4800.
Project Timeline
| November 2022 | Project start |
| March 2023 | Initial Road Safety Audit site visit |
| March 2023 | First community meeting and first focus group |
| March-August 2023 | Development of improvement alternatives |
| Summer 2023 | Second focus group |
| Summer 2023 | Safety demonstration to test proposed improvements |
| August 2023 | Third focus group to evaluate draft recommendations |
| December 2023 | Final Road Safety Audit completed |
| Summer 2025 | Final community meeting to discuss final recommendations |
| 2026 | Road resurfacing project starts |
| Summer 2027 | Road resurfacing project complete |
Questions about the project?
Jennifer Wade, P.E.
Title
Area Engineer -- St. Louis City
Department
St. Louis District
Contact Info
Phone: 314-624-7462
E-mail: jennifer.wade@modot.mo.gov
Phone: 314-624-7462
E-mail: jennifer.wade@modot.mo.gov
St. Louis Customer Service
Contact Info
slcrrep@modot.mo.gov
Phone 314-275-1500 or 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)
slcrrep@modot.mo.gov
Phone 314-275-1500 or 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636)