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Public gets its first look at Highway 40 plan
BY SHANE GRABER
Of the Post-Dispatch
04/13/2005
When highway workers broke ground on Highway 40 back in the 1930s, they envisioned a state-of-the-art system that one day would handle thousands of cars zipping down the road at 30, maybe even 45, mph.
But traffic, as white-knuckled commuters gritting their way through rush hour now know, changed. And quickly, too.
Now 150,000 commuters use the highway every day. They crash often, too. There were 1,108 wrecks on Highway 40 in 2002, nearly eight times more than the statewide average on similar highways.
Engineers call the highway "functionally obsolete." Entrance and exit ramps are too short. Hills don't let drivers see far enough ahead. Some art deco bridges are considered historic. So are the chunks that fall from them.
The Missouri Department of Transportation, though, now has a vision for the most-traveled east-west route in the region. Officials have chosen a reconstruction plan that is supposed to make for a modern, safer stretch of interstate. The plan, based on what is called an environmental impact statement, will be released today.
The project will cost at least $552 million but could go as high as $787 million. The more of the work that's funded up front, the cheaper the cost will be.
The federal government is expected to provide at least 80 percent of the funding. Some parts, such as bridges, might be eligible for up to 90 percent. The state will pay for the rest.
Based on the money available, the Highway Department will either start building at one location or work on several at a time.
Highway 40 officially got a name change in 1988 to Interstate 64, although motorists have been reluctant to adopt the new title. Highway officials hope St. Louisans give the new highway plan a warmer reception.
From 4 to 8 p.m. today, transportation officials will hold an open house at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, 7539 Manchester Avenue. A presentation is scheduled for 5:30.
People have until May 20 to let the highway department know what they think. Officials then will draft a design, buy the necessary property, finalize the plans and start building.
Related link: The New I-64
Public gets its first look at Highway 40 plan
BY SHANE GRABER
Of the Post-Dispatch
04/13/2005
When highway workers broke ground on Highway 40 back in the 1930s, they envisioned a state-of-the-art system that one day would handle thousands of cars zipping down the road at 30, maybe even 45, mph.
But traffic, as white-knuckled commuters gritting their way through rush hour now know, changed. And quickly, too.
Now 150,000 commuters use the highway every day. They crash often, too. There were 1,108 wrecks on Highway 40 in 2002, nearly eight times more than the statewide average on similar highways.
Engineers call the highway "functionally obsolete." Entrance and exit ramps are too short. Hills don't let drivers see far enough ahead. Some art deco bridges are considered historic. So are the chunks that fall from them.
The Missouri Department of Transportation, though, now has a vision for the most-traveled east-west route in the region. Officials have chosen a reconstruction plan that is supposed to make for a modern, safer stretch of interstate. The plan, based on what is called an environmental impact statement, will be released today.
The project will cost at least $552 million but could go as high as $787 million. The more of the work that's funded up front, the cheaper the cost will be.
The federal government is expected to provide at least 80 percent of the funding. Some parts, such as bridges, might be eligible for up to 90 percent. The state will pay for the rest.
Based on the money available, the Highway Department will either start building at one location or work on several at a time.
Highway 40 officially got a name change in 1988 to Interstate 64, although motorists have been reluctant to adopt the new title. Highway officials hope St. Louisans give the new highway plan a warmer reception.
From 4 to 8 p.m. today, transportation officials will hold an open house at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School, 7539 Manchester Avenue. A presentation is scheduled for 5:30.
People have until May 20 to let the highway department know what they think. Officials then will draft a design, buy the necessary property, finalize the plans and start building.
Related link: The New I-64
