South County Connector: Little Project, lot of hype

It seems this study is misunderstood by many. This is not a much needed southern extension of I-170, but more likely a four lane extension of River des Peres Boulevard northward with an I-44 (barring a different conclusion by the EIS team).

So far this study has a decent website:

http://www.southcountyconnector.com/index.html

Very few postings for next several months

Due to employment and issues with a lack of regular Internet access, this blog won't be seeing many new posts for most of the summer, if any.

Westbound Daniel Boone Bridge now faces demolition (someday)

Due to rising maintenance costs, MoDOT is now planning to demolish the westbound Daniel Boone Bride after a new eastbound bridge is constructed.

Historic Bridges of the United States has some good photos of the two Daniel Boone Bridges.

The replacement span will very likely be another dull, PSB clone. If funding wasn't an issue, I'd like a tied arch span there.

Sign work on I-55

Two minor sign related items to post about:

1) The speed limit sign on Southbound I-55 just south of Butler Hill Road has been changed back to one reading 65 mph.

2) MoDOT has been working on two of the overhead signs on the elevated section of NB I-55 between the PSB and I-44 for the last two evenings in a row.

More work on I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridges, commentary on the proposed replacement

IDOT begins more repairs on both the Chain of Rocks Canal Bridges and the main channel bridge on I-270 today.

Commentary/rants
It is because of the frequency of this work that IDOT is currently studying a replacement of the canal bridges. However, based on the presentation at the public meeting for the canal bridge replacement, the replacement will be partially obsolete as soon as it is built. There will only be four foot shoulders on the eastern end of the new bridge, and should I-270 ever get its much needed widening to six lanes between IL 111 and Lilac Avenue, there will be four foot shoulders for the whole bridge. The widened route may also have issues with the merge for IL 3 southbound traffic onto westbound I-270. If IDOT is going to undertake a total replacement for the canal bridges, they should build the new one right with a full right hand shoulder.

Bridge approach repairs on I-255 in Illinois

Repairs on bridge approaches on I-255 begin today in Illinois. The work is supposed to be complete by April 16th.

IDOT still has much more to fix on I-255. The pavement is getting extremely rough in some spots, most notably the southbound ramp to southbound/westbound I-55/70. Either an asphalt overlay needs to be done, or much more concrete patching.

April 9th Groundbreaking for New I-55 Lanes in Jefferson County

On April 9th, MoDOT will hold an official groundbreaking for adding one lane each way in the median of I-55 between Route M and Route Z.

Given the large amount of traffic that uses this route, even in the off-peak hours, this is a much needed improvement. Due to funding concerns, the extra lanes will not be going as far as ultimately planned - I-55 is supposed to stay four lanes each way down to the Herculaneum Exit.