Holiday shoppers, take note. If rain remains in Sunday’s forecast, MoDOT and Gateway Constructors will begin closing the eastern part of Highway 40 on Saturday when pavement is dry. (If weather cooperates, the highway will start closing Sunday afternoon through early Monday).

Dry pavement is essential for crews to restripe the highway so lanes carry westbound traffic to Kingshighway, rather than through barricades. Other restriping work must be finished at I-170 so traffic will go to the correct place when the switch happens. The jobs can only be done when traffic is removed from the highway.

MoDOT won’t budge on the Dec. 15 reopening of the highway between Ballas Road and I-170. It will be the last domino to fall. Once the eastern part is closed, then the new highway can open.