Funny to go all the way back to 2005 and read all the naysayers, doomsdayers, and just plain jerks who thought this project would never be completed on time, on budget, or even at all. The disaster scenarios never played out, people got where they needed to go with minimal delays, and we got a brand new, state of the art highway in under 2 years. Some people were trying to use this project as a prop to put down downtown and the city in general. Instead, we can point to this project as an example that St. Louis is not stuck in the stone age, and yes, we are capable of having nice things.
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Drove it this morning. Took 10 minutes off my commute!
For what it's worth I would gladly add those 10 minutes or even 20 minutes back onto a commute if it was on public transit, however since that is not a realistic option from my south side home to Creve Coeur (Metro's trip planner clocks it at 1 hr. 37 min.) I'll take the new I-64/40!
For what it's worth I would gladly add those 10 minutes or even 20 minutes back onto a commute if it was on public transit, however since that is not a realistic option from my south side home to Creve Coeur (Metro's trip planner clocks it at 1 hr. 37 min.) I'll take the new I-64/40!
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Same here, Southside. You and I have the same commute...it took at least 10 minutes off mine, maybe slightly more. Yay for metro Detroit style job sprawl!
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Drove it to work this morning. Looks very nice. I really like the street signage on the bridges. I said that after seeing it on the west half. However, the one disturbing thing is that it still backed up, pretty much the same way at 40, going north to 170. I had to wait in the same line. I can see the same pre-construction issues, once the former commuters return, 18 wheelers, etc.. all realize the route is back and ready to go. Traffic will likely continue to bottleneck at that interchange. Disappointing! Also, I was disappointed that no lanes were added between 170 and Hampton. I knew they were not going to, but they promised leaving room for future lane expansion. I dont see it!! One more complaint. The new Eager road is a joke. One packed lane bottlenecks to 3 southbound lanes. The problem is the backup getting to the 3 lanes. People are cutting over at the last minute. It is sure to bottleneck pretty bad as traffic increases in the area. Other than those complaints, I am happy with the new 40. The entrances are very nice, especially McCausland. The old one was a joke. Once the trees and bushes grow in, the highway will really look nice. Overall, good job and congrats to Gateway Constructors.
I drove it this morning, and just like the western half, the highway itself seems actually SHORTER! Naturally, it's NOT! But I did confirm with a co-worker that the DRIVE seems a lot shorter! Once you pass Bellevue, it seems like the I-170 interchange comes up AWFULLY QUICK!!!!
Still, it's VERY, VERY NICE!!!! Smooth and CLEAN!
Good job, Gateway Constructors!!!!
Still, it's VERY, VERY NICE!!!! Smooth and CLEAN!
Good job, Gateway Constructors!!!!
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me wrote:I live in Dogtown and work on Olive in Creve Coeur. I went from about a 25 minute commute to a 15 minute commute, door to door. Beautiful!
Commute home went from about 30-35 mins to 22. I walked out of my building at Olive/270 at 4pm on the dot and was in front of my house at 4:22.
I've lived in Dogtown for 1.5 years, and this is the first time I've been able to make the "regular" route, so I am pretty stoked!
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Live DT and work in overland. my commute just went form 45 to 15 minutes!!!
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As a highway it seems to have fixed what was wrong with the "Old I-64." I'd suspect that even though traffic may increase on I-64 in the future, people need a few trips to understand where the new ramps are located etc. and I'd suspect that traffic will flow more freely at the interchanges soon.
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It will probably be another 2 years before I drive the new 64 from Kingshighway to 270. I stay in the city!!!
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I went out of the way from class tonight to drive the new section of 64/40 from Big Bend Road to Kingshighway. Except for the nasty soundwalls between Bellevue and McCausland avenues, I was thoroughly impressed.
BTW, what is the speed limit on the new highway? I was having so much fun on a relatively deserted new highway that, uh, I wasn't paying attention.
BTW, what is the speed limit on the new highway? I was having so much fun on a relatively deserted new highway that, uh, I wasn't paying attention.
I don't take the highway very often, but lots of my customers do. I'm very glad to have this behind us.
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BTW, for some reason, it irritates me that Kingshighway is signed "Kingshighway Blvd." from 64/40.
I realize that's the official street designation, and I suppose it has something to do with the medians near Barnes-Jewish and the long stretch through north St. Louis that has a median. But I always thought it was really redundant- it's a highway and a boulevard? Maybe it's just me.
I realize that's the official street designation, and I suppose it has something to do with the medians near Barnes-Jewish and the long stretch through north St. Louis that has a median. But I always thought it was really redundant- it's a highway and a boulevard? Maybe it's just me.
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I will be interested to see how long it is before big trucks find the new I-64. One of the pleasures of driving down the old highway was that there were almost zero big trucks. They didn't fit under the old arched overpasses -- especially in the outer lanes. Now that everything is 15 feet or higher, that restriction is gone.
My daughter and I rode the highway from Hanley to Kingshighway and back on our bicycles Sunday. Smooth as silk. The bundled up walkers all looked like ice skaters on the nearly white pavement.
My daughter and I rode the highway from Hanley to Kingshighway and back on our bicycles Sunday. Smooth as silk. The bundled up walkers all looked like ice skaters on the nearly white pavement.
Although it's too bad the low overpasses are gone, I wouldn't be surprised if the big rigs still avoid highway 40. It really doesn't go anywhere they want to: 55 south to Memphis/New Orleans, 70 West to KC/Denver, and 44 to OKC and points west and south are the logical truck routes. Even if they want to get to the cargo and warehouses at Lambert and Earth City, they're still going to take I-70, especially when the new I-70 Mississippi Bridge opens. So fortunately, unless they have a delivery to make in Frontenac or Chesterfield, there's really no reason for the longhaulers to mess with 40.
I hate that it's open. The only driving I've done on 64 in the past year and a half is from Jefferson (or Grand) to Kingshighway, to drop the girlfriend off at work. Now I have to contend with actual traffic. 
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JMStokes wrote:I hate that it's open. The only driving I've done on 64 in the past year and a half is from Jefferson (or Grand) to Kingshighway, to drop the girlfriend off at work. Now I have to contend with actual traffic.
Last night was ridiculous, but it might be related to the Blues game. It took me 45 mins to get from Compton to the Poplar.
MoDOT offers driver advice with I-64(Hwy40)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Reporting
St. Louis Globe Democrat
On the third day since traffic returned to Interstate-64, Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) officials are offering some advice to help drivers avoid headaches.
After evaluating traffic patterns, MoDOT said Wednesday that volumes continue to change and fluctuate. The new eastern half of I-64 has volumes now greater than in 2007.
“Tuesday evening rush was significantly impacted by weather and incidents,” said MoDOT assistant district engineer Tom Blair. “The new section of highway is working well, but the ends of I-64 at Poplar Street Bridge and at I-270 have increased congestion. Motorists need to consider all the available roads and avoid the peak to improve their travel times.”
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE:
http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2009 ... i-64hwy40/
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Reporting
St. Louis Globe Democrat
On the third day since traffic returned to Interstate-64, Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) officials are offering some advice to help drivers avoid headaches.
After evaluating traffic patterns, MoDOT said Wednesday that volumes continue to change and fluctuate. The new eastern half of I-64 has volumes now greater than in 2007.
“Tuesday evening rush was significantly impacted by weather and incidents,” said MoDOT assistant district engineer Tom Blair. “The new section of highway is working well, but the ends of I-64 at Poplar Street Bridge and at I-270 have increased congestion. Motorists need to consider all the available roads and avoid the peak to improve their travel times.”
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE:
http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2009 ... i-64hwy40/
A 957 pixel tall picture hides the text of the article. Srsly? Christmas is coming. Someone please buy the Globe-Democrat a clue.matguy70 wrote:MoDOT offers driver advice with I-64(Hwy40)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Reporting
St. Louis Globe Democrat
On the third day since traffic returned to Interstate-64, Missouri Dept. of Transportation (MoDOT) officials are offering some advice to help drivers avoid headaches.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE:
http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2009 ... i-64hwy40/
innov8ion wrote:
A 957 pixel tall picture hides the text of the article. Srsly? Christmas is coming. Someone please buy the Globe-Democrat a clue.
It's got all the quality and clarity of a camera phone photograph, too.
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^ I'm going to give them my Nikon Coolpix 3MP camera for their photo dept.
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I'm glad to see the 3 years of mess and inconvenience finally coming to a close. This new stretch is providing an incredible convenience and quick commutes for all who use it. I'm afraid this is a double edged sword as it will just further feed into our auto addicted region.
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^ Speaking of which, MODOT has reported that traffic volumes are DOUBLE what they were in 2007, before the project began:
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/12 ... twice.html
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/12 ... twice.html
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^Give it more than one week. If I were back home I would have driven it at least once just to get the feel and see the entire project completed. I have a feeling there might be a little of that going on here. Let the new wear off the highway and check the volumes at the turn of the year.