Ron: I really enjoy your column in the Sunday edition. My question concerns the 270 southbound to 40 westbound interchange. You've discussed the slowdown at this inter section in the past and I really believe part of the problem is the lane markings. Traveling this road daily, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to see the lane markings in the afternoon sun. This not only slows everyone down, but is a real safety issue. Have you considered some sort of alternative lane striping? (the whit sripes on the "white" concrete just doesn't work)Thanks

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: We are working on some ideas for changes at the I-270 and I-64 interchange. The biggest problem seems to be that the southbound to westbound ramp has traffic riding very close to the quardrail and the pavement changes from concrete to asphalt in the lane. Drivers seem to either slow down causing more backup or drift or merge out of the lane. We are working on some striping changes there to improve the visibility and driver comfort.

Linda Wilson

BS: I jsut came back from Utah and drove I-15. I was impressed by the work your firm did. I really liked the sound walls and extra details you added to the highway. The images of mountains are very appropriate for the area and add value to the community.

I have viewed the sound wall design you have chosen for St. Louis . . . vertical lines!?!?!? We have the rivers, we have the arch, we have trees - could you have gotten a little more creative?

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Thanks. Actually we didn't choose the soundwall look for I-64, it was chosen by an aesthetics committee as part of the environmental impact study. They wanted to have an "art deco" look to the bridges and soundwalls and we were required to adhere to that guideline.

Dan

Curious: Here's a simple one for you. Is the construction work on schedule? Based on how much work has been done to date, assuming normal weather, will the road open on time?

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Yes it is, and yes it will. Despite all the rain delays we are still on schedule for completing the first half by December 2008.

Dan

draco: What is the prospect of installing more traffic cameras to catch speed violators to finance future road improvements? This is a guaranteed way to generate revenue. Using human traffic patrols to write tickets are inefficient.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Illinois is able to catch speeders in workzones using cameras, but Missouri doesn't have that capability. We don't have the legislation in place. The roads don't get any funding through tickets anyway. By Missouri Constitution, the state's roads and bridges are funded through a 17 cent gas tax, and a portion of the taxes you paid when registering a new vehicle or renewing your plates. Ticket revenue typically goes to the city or county writting the ticket.

Linda Wilson

marian: Is patching going to happen on the portion of 40 that is still open? There are some extremely rough spots that are pretty dangerous.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: We have a maintenance crew patrolling the corridor every day looking for potholes and fixing any they find. We also dispatch them to specific locations when people report them to us.

Dan