MoDOT to begin lane closures March 18 on southbound I-270

At a news conference held this afternoon, MoDOT announced the upcoming construction and lane closures that will occur on southbound I-270 between Manchester Road to I-44 for a major widening project.

Crews will set the barrier wall starting Monday night, March 18, weather permitting. The barrier will begin at Dougherty Ferry Road and continue to north of I-44. Four thru lanes will remain for traffic. The barrier will be in place for approximately seven months.

The lane closures for daily work will occur during non-peak hours and run from Manchester Road to I-44.

“There will be 15 minute delays twice a day when blasting on weekdays begins in early April, which will be similar to last summer. Blasting will last approximately two months,” said Ed Hassinger, MoDOT St. Louis District Engineer.

Entire construction on southbound I-270 is expected to be complete by late December.

MoDOT also discussed traffic results with the new added lane on northbound I-270 from I-44 to Manchester. Last year, MoDOT expanded this 3½ mile section of interstate from four to five lanes as part of the widening project to improve traffic congestion.

“The lane addition to northbound I-270 has helped us deliver a more reliable transportation system,” said Hassinger.

Before the lane addition, the average speed was 30 mph from I-44 to Manchester as the slowest travel time during morning rush periods. It has increased at least 10 mph to approximately 40 to 45 mph during this same timeframe.

Hassinger added, “Before the lane addition, the travel speeds on this segment were unreliable during the morning rush period. Now, we are seeing a more stabilized average speed resulting in smoother traffic flow.”

MoDOT urges motorists merging onto I-270 from I-44 not to stop and merge. The lane is now open and motorists need to keep moving.

Project cost is estimated at $12 million for both northbound and southbound work.