Road construction hits high gear
Jason Lee
Of the Suburban Journals
O'Fallon Mo Journal
ST. CHARLES
?Tis the season for road construction in St. Charles as work on a number of projects is underway or expected to begin soon.
As drivers adapt to ongoing repairs on the Blanchette Memorial Bridge's eastbound span as well as an interchange overhaul at Highway 94 and Interstate 70, other street projects will further test motorists' patience.
Here is a rundown of what drivers should expect on the roads of St. Charles this summer:
> A $7.5 million extension of North Fifth Street will lengthen the road from its current dead-end at Olive Street to a connection at Little Hills Expressway. Work recently began to construct a 530-foot bridge that will take North Fifth Street over Highway 370, said City Engineer Stephen Bender.
"Construction of the bridge will eventually result in some lane closures on Highway 370," Bender said. "Other work to extend Fifth Street shouldn't have a great impact on traffic, as most of it is being built on new territory."
Bender said increased housing and commercial development on the city's north end resulted in the need to provide "better connectivity" in the area. A separate bike trail also will be added to the road and is planned to eventually connect to the Katy Trail, he said.
The 18-month project is expected to be finished by December 2006.
> A $3.8 million widening and resurfacing of a 1.1-mile section of Ehlmann Road between Truman Road and Covington Parkway is about 75-percent completed. Once finished, the former narrow, two-lane road will feature three lanes as well as new curbs, gutters and new grading for better sight distance, Bender said.
"Making these improvements will provide a huge safety enhancement."
Bender said lane closures on Ehlmann would periodically change, so drivers should be alert to follow detour signs in the area.
> The addition of a right-turn lane from Hackman Road onto Muegge Road is about 80 complete. Completion of the $116,500 project was delayed due to nearby utility relocations by Laclede Gas Co.
> Crews began removing and replacing damaged roadway slabs, curbs, gutters and sidewalks last month at various city locations. The $1.9 million project, conducted each year, helps to improve deteriorating concrete as well as provide for the addition of new concrete connections between existing sidewalks.
> Three projects scheduled to begin soon include construction of a right-turn lane from Graystone Drive to Zumbehl Road and a right-turn lane from Muegge Road to Old Highway 94. The two projects are expected to cost about $200,000.
Jason Lee
Of the Suburban Journals
O'Fallon Mo Journal
ST. CHARLES
?Tis the season for road construction in St. Charles as work on a number of projects is underway or expected to begin soon.
As drivers adapt to ongoing repairs on the Blanchette Memorial Bridge's eastbound span as well as an interchange overhaul at Highway 94 and Interstate 70, other street projects will further test motorists' patience.
Here is a rundown of what drivers should expect on the roads of St. Charles this summer:
> A $7.5 million extension of North Fifth Street will lengthen the road from its current dead-end at Olive Street to a connection at Little Hills Expressway. Work recently began to construct a 530-foot bridge that will take North Fifth Street over Highway 370, said City Engineer Stephen Bender.
"Construction of the bridge will eventually result in some lane closures on Highway 370," Bender said. "Other work to extend Fifth Street shouldn't have a great impact on traffic, as most of it is being built on new territory."
Bender said increased housing and commercial development on the city's north end resulted in the need to provide "better connectivity" in the area. A separate bike trail also will be added to the road and is planned to eventually connect to the Katy Trail, he said.
The 18-month project is expected to be finished by December 2006.
> A $3.8 million widening and resurfacing of a 1.1-mile section of Ehlmann Road between Truman Road and Covington Parkway is about 75-percent completed. Once finished, the former narrow, two-lane road will feature three lanes as well as new curbs, gutters and new grading for better sight distance, Bender said.
"Making these improvements will provide a huge safety enhancement."
Bender said lane closures on Ehlmann would periodically change, so drivers should be alert to follow detour signs in the area.
> The addition of a right-turn lane from Hackman Road onto Muegge Road is about 80 complete. Completion of the $116,500 project was delayed due to nearby utility relocations by Laclede Gas Co.
> Crews began removing and replacing damaged roadway slabs, curbs, gutters and sidewalks last month at various city locations. The $1.9 million project, conducted each year, helps to improve deteriorating concrete as well as provide for the addition of new concrete connections between existing sidewalks.
> Three projects scheduled to begin soon include construction of a right-turn lane from Graystone Drive to Zumbehl Road and a right-turn lane from Muegge Road to Old Highway 94. The two projects are expected to cost about $200,000.