Emmett: This question concerns the webcams found here: http://www.thenewi64.org/new2d_webcams.jsp

While they are useful for people who are construction hobbyists, it doesn't do much for helping people choose alternate routes for traffic. I work in Clayton and it would be very useful to have live cams at the following points: Big Bend and Clayton, Fo. Park Parkway and I-170, Fo. Park Parkway and Big Bend, Fo. Park Parkway and Skinker. I know the official advice is during rush hour to avoid these intersections because they are crowded, but *how* crowded? Enquiring drivers want to know. And whether the rush hour clears at 7pm or 7:30 makes a big difference. Or avoiding the odd "pop up" weekend jam due to recreational traffic. With live video cam applications available on iPhones, no less, MoDot/Gateway Constructors should be able to afford these cams. It's 2009, people! Or move the ones showing the earth movers to these points. MoDot's http://www.gatewayguide.com/atis/index.html doesn't provide info about traffic at these points, either. Thanks.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: The webcameras on the I-64 web site are solely for watching the construction. We felt it was important to show the progress of the work. Since the road is closed, it is harder for people to see what is going on. these cameras take a photo about every 15 minutes and were not meant to show traffic but to show the construction work.

MoDOT's traffic management website is www.gatewayguide.com. You can see real time traffic photos updated every minute on all the region's major interstates and some sections of roads including Route 141, Olive, Lindbergh and Manchester among others. We are constantly working on expanding this system.

The roads you asked about specifically are all County roads. The county has some cameras that its traffic engineers use to watch for problems with signal timing, but the system is not designed and capable for broadband public use.

Linda Wilson

Ted Fivian: What is with all of the complaining about the new sound walls along I-64? In this past Monday's "This week on Highway 40", yet another individual was complaining, even to the point of "wanting them redone!!" I'm a fan of the Art Deco style, and I happen to think the walls and overpasses look great. Sound walls are meant to help insulate residential areas adjacent to heavily traveled roadways from traffic noise, lights, etc., and any "view" of someone's private home is no business of anyone driving on a highway.

May I make the bold suggestion that instead of complaining about the new sound walls, drivers instead focus on their own driving skills and be aware of what is happening on the road around them?

Thanks,
Ted

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Thank you for your comments. As always it is good to hear both sides of an issue. Soundwalls are a required part of construction when we widen and existing section of highway and raise the noise levels about a certain threshold. The thousands of trees that have been planted along the highway will eventually change the look of the walls too.

Linda Wilson

gusmcrae1: This is more for the Post than for you two. I know more signage cannot be placed at the roundabouts, but perhaps the Post could publish a "Roundabouts for Dummies." I have to drive through the one at Hampton daily to get to work and have witnessed several drivers who didn't know what they were doing (one person was going BACKWARDS through it!) But yesterday my civic was nearly crushed by a Metrobus that did not yield at the circle even though I was already in it.

Just a warning--everyone going through the roundabouts--keep an eye on your fellow drivers. Even if you know what you're doing in one, they may not.

One more reason I cannot wait till the highway reopens completely :)

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Actually MoDOT does have a page on its website that addresses roundabouts. You can see it here:

http://www.modot.org/stlouis/links/roundaboutsinstlouis.htm

There is usually a learning curve with any changes to roadways. Hopefully this one won't take much longer to sink in. The rule for roundabouts is drive counter-clockwise and yield to vehicles already in the roundabout.

Dan

Greg: Any update on when the final Kingshighway paving will be done?

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: That will start next week and should take two nights to complete, followed by one night of striping about two weeks later.

Dan

In Brentwood: I realize this is probably not your jurisdiction, but do you know when the striping will be completed on Brentwood Blvd between the Galleria and Clayton. It's a serious hazard as cars cannot stay in their respective lanes - especially at night. It's an accident waiting to happen.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: I believe the work you are referring to is on Brentwood Blvd from Clayton Road north into the city of Clayton. This section of Brentwood is under the jurisdiction of the City of Brentwood. They have been resurfacing the road and had temporary markers down instead of stripes.

I need to amend the answer I just posted. I was just informed that the striping on Brentwood was completed over the weekend. It should be good now.

Linda Wilson