Heads up, commuters and residents of Franklin and western St. Louis counties. Starting next week, you'll be navigating a new obstacle course on Route 100 between Route 109 and Route OO—construction work is kicking off. The partnership spearheading these changes includes MoDOT and the city of Wildwood, with an aim to enhance safety through the addition of left turn lanes at strategic points and J-turns at Route T (St. Albans Road) and Pond Road, as detailed on MoDOT's website.
The journey will get rough starting next week, particularly in two-lane stretches near landmarks like Hawks Rest and Windy Hollow. If you're cruising through on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., expect some shoulder work and short-term eastbound lane closures, with flaggers on standby to navigate you through the impromptu mazes. Night owls, take note—between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., a lane closure will shrink your path to a single file, guided yet again, by flaggers. Access to Route 100 won't be severed for local residents, though delays are as certain as the sunset.
For those threading the corridor’s four-lane section, your schedule tweak begins April 14. MoDOT crews are set to dive into pavement repairs between Route 109 and Booness Lane, working dutifully on weekdays during times designed to skirt peak traffic. You'll find one lane closed in either direction, with the eastbound segment getting attention post-morning rush and the westbound pre-evening swarm, ensuring you can still chase the day's first and last lights, albeit a bit slower.
MoDOT's online announcement sets the expectation: construction will be an unwavering companion through to late fall. While the promise of smoother and safer roads is on the horizon, the interim will demand patience and perhaps a well-curated playlist or a fascinating podcast for the added minutes to your daily jaunts. To stay in the loop and better plan your day-trips, keeping an eye on MoDOT's updates might just become as routine as your morning coffee.
