urbanSTL

^ I think they're directing everyone to FPP because Clayton Rd is the obvious way to bypass the closure. It is certain to be packed.

It's hilarious that Tuscany Park (neighborhood, behind Walgreens on Big Bend at Clayton) closed off one of the entrances to their HORSESHOE street as if people would really venture into their neighborhood for NO reason whatsoever. It just epitomizes Clayton to me.

So, did anyone dare venture into this area over the weekend?



From the report I saw on KTVI, it looked like life went on, although the delays and gridlock appeared to be significant. I don't think the sky's going to fall as some in the media would like for us to believe, but I cannot imagine the effect two years of this crap will have on the area.



I noticed KTVI and KMOV show the graphic for The New I-64 whenever they do a story on Highway 40. (I only use the old name to avoid blank stares when I mention Interstate 64). Seriously, everyone's had 20 years to adapt to the primary highway name. When in the hell, if ever, will we actually start using it? BTW, I bought some groceries at National and some shoes at Stix Baer & Fuller today.

^ I avoided the actual construction area, but took Forest Park west (from Vandeventer) to 170 this afternoon. The only stop was at Des Peres -- it took about 6 light cycles to get through Skinker. Surprizingly, Forest Park moved pretty quickly after that, though. Didn't seem that much heavier than a normal Sunday afternoon.



Coming home I didn't want to deal with Hanley, so I got off at McKnight and took Manchester all the way in. It seemed busier to me than it should have been -- especially through Maplewood up to Kingshighway. But not that bad.

The intersection at Skinker/Clayton Rd was pretty backed up on Saturday but it only added another 3 minutes or so to my trip to the Schnuck's. People will adapt. The surprising thing is that it seems every deadline has been met with this project so far! One year of having 170 to Kingshighway closed and one year of 170-270 closed is a lot better IMO than 4+ years of 2 lanes each way.

^ I'd say the Tamm overpass looks pretty standard. Maybe they'll be adding some panels/decoration? Perhaps the railing across the bridge will be nice? It looks like it could open in the next couple weeks. The entrance to FP near Hudlin Park is coming along as well. It's the now standard pre-cast panels built as a wall. It may end up OK, but I don't like that it has the feel of a tunnel. The only design had the sloped sides with columns that made it more open.

^ Right now Tamm is only 1/2 step above "freeway generic". Nowhere near as distinctive as the Sarah/Vandeventer overpass, or even I-70. The only unique visual element I can tell is they added 3 grooves to the colums that, I guess, is supposed to look like fluting. Maybe it will look better once the railings are done.

I think it needs the railings to finish the look. Personally, it's an overpass. I think a simple, but well done design is fine with me. Why do we need all sorts of decoration? Save that for the major river bridges.

^ Matt, there's a difference between 'simple' and 'generic'. It's possible to add some elements of visual interest and quality without overdoing decoration. In fact over-decorating can look cheap, whereas something minimalist -- say 12-sided columns instead of the standard cylinders -- stands out as unique.

I agree

I live in the area and it wasn't as bad as expected. Both Clayton Rd and FPP were busy but nothing horrible.



The only thing is that new stoplight at Lindell/Skinker is effed up big time. On weekdays (even without the detours) traffic now backs up a 1/2 mile on northbound Skinker: well past Wydown as far as the History Museum Library. Even with the old temp lights that intersection was never that bad.

WHY did they put that ridiculous median on Lindell at Skinker?? Now, there is only ONE lane, barely two, that enters onto Skinker. Who thought this would be a good idea?



Clayton Road wasn't bad at all. I was pissed they blocked off EVERY gate/entrance into the Moorlands; totally unnecessary. I guess they were planning for the worst, but it never came.

Some crappy cell-phone pics taken on eastbound I-64/40 showing the current progress.



Approaching the new I-64/I-170 interchange:











Where the Boland overpass once was:







Where homes once stood west of Big Bend on the the north side of the highway:







The remains of the Highland Terrace overpass:







And the Bellview overpass:









-RBB

Put the phone down and DRIVE!

TheWayoftheArch wrote:

Tysalpha wrote:^ Right now Tamm is only 1/2 step above "freeway generic". Nowhere near as distinctive as the Sarah/Vandeventer overpass, or even I-70. The only unique visual element I can tell is they added 3 grooves to the colums that, I guess, is supposed to look like fluting. Maybe it will look better once the railings are done.

It looks fine, but lets face it, MoDOT sold a sleek deco stylized design (imitation not duplication of what is there now) during the whole public input process and then said "Oh, those are just drawings, we have 200 million less than what that would cost."



Classic bait and switch. Then again this is about traffic flow and crumbling bridges. Not eye candy. Maybe.

Exactly, Arch! In fact I just checked and they scrubbed all design element references from thenewi64.org. My biggest peeve, so far, is the generic puzzleblock retaining walls that are going up at 170 and Kingshighway -- I guess they will all be like this. I distinctly remember the drawings showed a more dimensional, chevron-like pattern to the blocks -- much like what St. Louis city did for the Sarah Street overpass (and Compton, I think).



You're right that ultimately this is about traffic flow. But I have to wonder if they're already cutting aesthetic elements out -- what's next to go?

Driving through the construction yesterday, I noticed the piping on the new bridge columns, thought it was kind of nice... ... then I noticed the piping only exists on the "visible" side of the outside columns; there's piping on one-half of two out of however many columns for each bridge. Why is there not any piping on every column all the way around?! Does MoDOT/Gateway think we're stupid?



I'm reminded of the horrendous half brick wraps MoDOT installed on some of the I-70 bridges in the city. I also remember all the flak MoDOT so rightfully received for the design faux pas. Someone, please, tell me it was only the glare of the sun that blinded me from seeing the missing piping.

I haven't been inclined to buy into the local media's Armageddon-like prediction of what things will be like when Highway 40 closes. After it took me 20 minutes to get from Maplewood Commons to Brentwood Square this afternoon via Hanley and Eager roads, however, I'm beginning to think the worst.

Helpful hint: Absolutely avoid Eager at all cost! Simply cut through the industrial court behind all that crap and you won't experience any traffic... there is access to to all those shopping centers from the industrial court.

^ Yep, I should've known better, especially since I usually avoid Eager Road at all costs.



I took Strassner Drive on the way back from Brentwood Square, and fortunately, it looks like the extension to Hanley should be done soon.

bpe235 wrote: Simply cut through the industrial court behind all that crap and you won't experience any traffic

Until everyone else starts doing it too.

Framer wrote:

bpe235 wrote: Simply cut through the industrial court behind all that crap and you won't experience any traffic

Until everyone else starts doing it too.

Exactly. And the people living on that quaint stretch of Litzsinger Road are going to love this as well.