Downtown streets are filled with traffic, but cars are moving. That’s the word from Mike Bertolini, an engineering technician with the St. Louis Streets Department. At 4:30 p.m. he was driving downtown looking for problems. Snarls, faulty traffic signals — anything that could cause traffic headaches for folks en route  to the All-Star Game.  Streets are opening up after the parade. At 5 p.m., Highway 40 (Interstate 64) is scheduled to close between the Poplar Street Bridge and 14th Street, and reopen by the end of the game. Soon, President Obama’s motorcade will arrive, which could trigger some backups. As for now, “It’s actually like a normal ballgame for traffic,” Bertolini said.

Traffic signals have been set to get fans out of downtown quickly this evening. The St. Louis Streets Division implemented a new traffic signal timing plan last night for the Home Run Derby. It helped traffic clear out of downtown 40 minutes after the game ended. Normally, it takes 10 to 15 minutes longer.

We’ll check back with Mike around 5 to see if things have changed.