The city of Richmond Heights filed a federal suit Friday in an attempt to save some of the city's property that could be in the way of a rebuilt Highway 40.

The suit is against the Missouri Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. City officials said in a news release that it is "an effort to protect our community -- particularly, our residents, neighborhoods, and historic homes -- from some of the adverse impacts of the proposed expansion."

City officials oppose three highway interchanges due to be located within a half-mile of some of the city's residential neighborhoods, the release said.

MoDOT is planning a four-way interchange at Big Bend Boulevard, two interchange ramps at Bellevue Avenue and a four-way interchange at McCausland Avenue.

"This will adversely impact Richmond Heights neighborhoods and result in the unnecessary loss of residents and historic homes," the release said.

MoDOT conducted studies in 1996 and 1997 to review options for rebuilding Highway 40 (Interstate 64). One option, which the city preferred, was to remove the Bellevue ramps and build just a four-way interchange at Big Bend. But that was only a preliminary option, and MoDOT has since revised its plans, highway spokeswoman Linda Wilson said.

As for the lawsuit, Wilson wouldn't comment.

The state plans to spend $535 million to rebuild 12 miles of Highway 40, interchanges and bridges from west of Spoede Road in Frontenac to Sarah Street in St. Louis. Work will include rebuilding the Interstate 170 and Highway 40 interchange. MoDOT will build an additional lane in each direction between Spoede and I-170.

MoDOT hopes to begin construction by January 2007 and finish by October 2010.


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