Linda Wilson of MoDOT and Dan Galvin of Gateway Constructors hold an online chat each Wednesday at 2 p.m. about Highway 40 (Intestate 64) construction and other highway issues. Submit questions at STLtoday.com/discussions. Transcripts of past discussions also are available. Here is an excerpt of last week's chat:

chris: As more and more tasks are completed, has the number of people working on the project decreased or is there enough work to keep everyone working until completion?

Dan Galvin: Once certain items of work have been completed, various crews will move on to other Fred Weber or Millstone Bangert jobs or will be laid off. Obviously, when you are finished building bridges you don't need bridge construction workers any longer. While we're still pretty busy right now, it won't be too long before that process of attrition begins.

DanMark: Can we get an update on Big Bend progress? It looks to be moving along well. Will the approaches be rebuilt like what is being done at McCausland or will they be resurfaced like the rest of the bridge approaches?

Dan Galvin: Big Bend is going well. The deck has been poured and we're getting ready to begin the approach slabs. The bridge will be tied in with the existing asphalt like at McKnight or Hanley. The reason we rebuilt the entire road at McCausland was because the road base was failing and had to be completely rebuilt. Since we make our own concrete on the job it just made sense to use concrete to do it.

TheCityForum: I saw a lot of yahoos joyriding their parents and in-laws on the closed section during Labor Day weekend. You guys should put up some ROAD CLOSED wooden barriers to prevent this at every exit. Is that possible?

Dan Galvin: We have barricades up and signs at every entrance and exit but people keep driving around them. Hopefully the police will be able to catch some of them.

Linda Wilson: I just want to add this is very dangerous and is also trespassing. All of MoDOT and Gateway Constructors staff are required to wear hard hats, steel-toed boots and protective eye wear anytime we are inside the project area. It is not safe for them and it is not safe for our workers who typically work six days a week. We have alerted the local police and we will and have prosecuted trespassers. We will have a day for people to bike and walk at the end when it is safe.