adam_lamore: I live near Clayton and Big Bend and am trying to plan my commute to Olive and 270. I have been taking 40 W from Bellevue to 170 N to Olive W. When the new section of 40 opens, I believe that taking it will be faster than Olive. How would you recommend I get to 40? I was thinking Big Bend to Forest Park Parkway W to 170 S to 40 W, but the Parkway worries me. Any recommendations would be welcome. Thanks!

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: I can think of a couple of options you might want to consider. You could take Clayton west to Brentwood then go south on Brentwood to Galleria Parkway and use the ramp to northbound I-170. You could also continue south on Brentwood to the new ramp to westbound I-64 and take that out to either Lindbergh or I-270 to Olive.

Linda Wilson

Luna2004: Will the shoulders be restored on Clayton and Ladue after the western portion of the highway 40 work is completed? We cyclists would really appreciate their return.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: Clayton and Ladue roads are going to remain as they are until the I-64 project is completely finished in December 2009. So you have at least one more year. At that time, St. Louis County and the cities of Ladue and Frontenac will decide how they want the roads returned to the cities. Each city will decide what changes they want to keep. But nothing will change until after I-64 is complete in another year.

Linda Wilson

Chris: When will the Spoede road overpass be finished and ready for use?

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: The Spoede Road bridge reopened yesterday afternoon.

Dan

Chris: Why is the Hanley Bridge closing down? i thought the original plan left this bridge open with at least 1 lane in each direction during the duration aof the project.

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: That was the original plan. Earlier this year the County asked MoDOT and its contractor to include more work at Hanley to make some significant improvements to Hanley and Eager and to build those with our project. The only way to get all of that work done and still finish it on time was to expedite the work and close Hanley. The traffic on Hanley will be detoured with two lanes directly onto Eager and then with direct access to I-170 or down to Brentwood and the reverse trip as well. We have a good detour plan in place with the County. The Hanley bridge will not be closing on December 15 but should sometime shortly after. We will provide notice of the date. It will be closed a maximum of 8 months.

Linda Wilson

Kurits Jr: Hi Dan & Linda,

Congratulations to you and your teams for opening the first half over two weeks early! A tremendous accomplishment.

Have you had a chance to speak with your traffic engineers regarding the signage at the Ladue on-ramp to Southbound Forest Park Parkway? Is the 'yield' sign still required on that on-ramp? And is 'exit only' required below the Forest Park Parkway exit sign?

Thanks!

Dan Galvin and Linda Wilson: I did pass on your concerns. They are working on the signs. The exit only sign should be install soon. I don't know the decision on the yield sign.

Linda Wilson