How was your commute without four miles of Highway 40?
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 a special report, we’ve upgraded and promoted our online traffic reports, we’ve even done a game to try and have some fun with the project.
So, today was the first day we’ve had to cope with the change. And whether or not you usually drive on Highway 40, everyone’s expecting fall-out from the shutdown to affect drivers in other parts of the region.
So the question today: Did it affect you? How’d you deal with it? What route did you take? Was traffic heavier than usual on your usual commute?
Got photos from the Highway 40 reconstruction or the surrounding area? Click here and post them to our readers’ album.
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
It’s 7:45am of the morning the world will end. I use 44, so don’t need an alternate, but just out of curiosity I went to the much ballyhooed post4trafficonline.com 10 minutes ago and entered a request for a route from 270 and Manchester to 7th and Olive. Bingo - it popped me right on 40 for a straight shot downtown! So, I thought I’d let all of you know — it was all a hoax — apparently 40 isn’t closed at all!
How much are you guys paying for this website? Ask for a refund.
My commute was not as bad as I had anticipated, but I think a lot of people have taken today off, so I don’t think we can gage the potential traffic until next week. I took I-70 East from O’Fallon to Southbound I-170, and it was a smooth ride at 6am. The only snarl I hit was when I exited 170 to go southbound on Hanley and it was all backed up, but it only took a couple of minutes to get through. I think MODOT needs to re-stripe that exit somehow…people were getting really confused. A few were stopped in the middle of the highway trying to figure out how to cut into the line.
I was wondering when someone would point out today is a light traffic day. I don’t think we’re going to know the full scope of the effects of the shutdown until everyone is back in school and everyone is back from their holiday vacations.
I drive in from IL to Clayton so my commute will be minimally affected compared to those trying to get from west county to downtown. I noticed this morning there was no traffic in IL whatsoever going across the Poplar, so that is an indicator that today is a super light traffic day. I wish the people on TV and on the radio would stop saying how astonished they are that traffic is flowing so freely around the metro area - give it a week or two!
coming out of South County this morning, no problems whatsoever on north I-55
not bad, took page. School hasen’t started yet, repost this question on monday and see how it goes.
It looks like some of the routes on the Post4Traffic site are still being plotted through Highway 40. Thanks for the heads up on that. We’ll get that fixed shortly.
In the meantime, if you click on “Map Details” it will give you the choice of up to three alternate routes. If you click on one of those, you can hit “preview route”. If you like that route you can hit “Save changes” and it willl become your new route.
Again, we’re working to make those alternate routes the new primary route.
I started using Clayton Rd. instead of 40 last month. This morning I left 15 minutes earlier, and the traffic was a bit heavier, but not too bad. The traffic lights don’t seem to be timed any better than they were last month.
The worst part about that route is there are NO street lights on Clayton Road West of McKnight! It’s pitch dark!
Yes, shut down of 40 impacted me alot. I have changed my working hours from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm, instead of 7:30 to 4:00. Today, I took 44 West - I work in Creve Coeur and live in the City. I think this is a waste of money. Highway 40 is not that bad. Maybe a little paving, but nothing this extreme was needed. By biggest fear is if I were to have car trouble on the highway. No shoulder to pull off. Some one is going to get killed sitting in a lane of traffic.
Dawn
My commute was COLD as I walked to the Metrolink station - I even saw a few frozen Republicans on the way with Mike Huckabee t-shirts on. Since I am a humanitarian, I lit a fire under them to thaw the group out. I hope they feel better…..
Just wait til Monday, that will be the true test. Many people are still on vacation and schools are not back in yet. Also, it is going to be the 7-9:00am commuters and anytime after 4:00pm (evening rush) that will be the most effected. Monday evening will be a mess!