It’s been nearly a year since work on “The New I-64″ (more commonly known here as Highway 40) began with the shutdown of all driving lanes between I-270 and I-170/Brentwood Boulevard.

Now, the western portion of the highway is open and the section between I-170 and Kingshighway is closed.  That will most likely cause more headaches for St. Louis drivers and residents – and probably is.

I’ve recently driven the new 5-mile section of roadway going west from I-170 to I-270, and had the feeling that I was in another city. Four lanes in each direction and five lanes in places, but was…

UPDATE: How many of you posted below something to this effect: “Yes, Highway 40 closed on Jan. 2, but the real test is how things go on Jan. 7″? Well, that day is here. Return and let us know how the “real test” went, since most schools are back in session and most people are not still on vacation.

Note: Comments from today, Jan. 7, start on this page. Read below for comments prior to that.

The original posting from Jan. 2:

Not sure if you heard about this…but Highway 40 shut down overnight between Ballas and I-170. We’ve featured the project in…

It’s New Year’s day, so we’ll take a break from the news to turn yet another year off the calendar and recover from what many across the region celebrated Monday night at First Night activities in the Grand Center neighborhood.

Other than maybe sleeping in a little later on the holiday (at least for most of us), what are your plans for this weekday day-off? Most shopping malls are open, the Zoo and Missouri Botanical Garden (Shaw’s Park) and the Art Museum are open.

Or maybe you’ll join the the group of hardy swimmers who take a dip in the icy cold…

I know what you’re thinking. I’ve got a whole extra hour to kill this weekend, with nothing to do.

Never fear. We’re giving you another chance to exercise your poetic license and distill a recent news story into haiku. You know the rules — three lines, with 5 syllables, then 7, then 5 more. Read them aloud to make sure you aren’t disqualified.

And please, no wagering.

Here are some examples to prime your poetic pump:

Just about the time that you’ll be recovering from your New Year’s Eve revelry, road blocks will go up if your daily commute is on Highway 40 between Ballas Road and I-170.

Before the morning rush hour on Jan. 2, crews will set up blockades in both directions at Ballas Road on the west and at I-170 and Brentwood Boulevard on the eastern edge of the closure.

Today’s story by reporter Elisa Crouch explains that state contractors will immediately begin demolishing bridges over Lindbergh Boulevard, Brentwood Boulevard, and Clayton and Warson roads.

Once work west of I-170 ends, crews will close lanes from…