A look back at MoDOT’s 2012 projects in St. Charles County

MoDOT was busy in 2012 providing transportation improvements in St. Charles County. Significant projects continue to improve the quality of life in the county and its connection to the region.

The following are considered to be the top MoDOT projects in St. Charles County for 2012:

• Page Phase 2 of Route 364 opening: The second phase opened to traffic on Aug. 30.  The additional 4-mile improvement now provides a freeway connection from Mid Rivers Mall Drive all the way to I-270 in St. Louis County. In 2013, the third and final phase of Route 364 will be awarded to a contractor with work beginning in late spring 2013.
• I-70 Blanchette Bridge rehabilitation project: The $63 million rehab began in late spring 2012, but the major traffic impact happened the first weekend in November. The westbound bridge was closed and I-70 was reduced to three lanes in each direction using the eastbound bridge.  I-70 was closed on two separate days for blasting of the old steel westbound truss.St. Charles County motorists showed they can adjust their traffic patterns.  Traffic is moving smoothly on the alternates of Route 364 and Route 370 as well as on I-70 itself.  The work will be complete by Fall 2013. The two bridge blasts, Nov. 18 and Dec. 4, were memorable moments for the citizens who watched the old bridge as it was dropped into the Missouri River.
• I-64 Boone Bridge contract award: The $110.9 million design-build contract was awarded to Walsh-Alberici Joint Venture in July. Design is underway and construction on the new bridge will begin in early 2013.
• New lane westbound I-70 from TR Hughes to Hwy. K: The additional westbound lane opened in November and now provides four lanes westbound to Hwy. K.
• Hwy. 79 improvements: Resurfacing extended from I-70 north to the county line and added left turn lanes at four intersections.
• Resurfacing of Route P and Route F.
• Emergency culvert replacement on Route D near Busch Wildlife.
• Flashing yellow arrows on Hwy. K:  All of the intersections from I-70 to I-64 were converted to flashing yellow left arrows, which improve safety and provide flexibility with signal timing for improved traffic flow. The work was completed in November.