Attention drivers navigating the waters of westbound Interstate 64, the tides are shifting. MoDOT announced that starting at 7 p.m. yesterday, traffic will be funneled into a new phase of the Boone Bridge rehabilitation project. Come nightfall, the rightmost lane will close down, and later at 10 p.m., the I-64 on-ramp from Chesterfield Airport Road will also shutter for the night to pave the way for the switch. By Thursday's early light at 5 a.m., all should be settled into its new pattern.
As part of this transition, the eastbound I-64 North Outer 40 Road exit, and entrance ramps will be off-limits. They're expected to reopen post-shift. With the currents of construction moving to the left side of the westbound bridge, both east and westbound lanes on I-64 are set to converge within the median to continue the bridge's maintenance dance. While MoDOT maintains that three lanes will remain open in each direction, westbound sailors will notice a land shift, with two lanes veering temporarily onto the eastbound bridge, separated only by a barrier wall.
With the space needed for safe construction, auxiliary lanes in both directions will be closed within the vicinity of the work zone. Add to this a reduced speed limit of 50 mph, lanes narrowed and shifted, and you've got a recipe for congestion. MoDOT urges travelers to time their journeys to avoid peak hours and the potential snarls they bring.
For those inclined to dodge the fray altogether, a detour is on offer. The Route 364 Veterans Memorial Bridge stands as an alternative path for traversing between St. Louis and St. Charles counties. In preparation for your commute, remember, the best-laid plans of mice and motorists often go awry in the face of construction. Plan ahead to keep your journey smooth as the river's flow.
