Drivers in the St. Louis region should be cautious while driving. That's what the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are telling drivers as they pass through work zones, as road and bridge construction projects are in full swing for the summer.
“Avoiding distractions can significantly make our roadways and our work zones safer,” said Tom Blair, district engineer for MODOT’s St. Louis region.
According to Blair, the major I-270 project that has been going on for 4 years will be completed later this year. However IDOT has some major projects in the area as well.
“The replacement of the I-270 Mississippi River Bridge that started in January and will be ongoing for the next few years,” said Joel Cumby with IDOT's District 8.
St. Louis County has $42.7 million in road and bridge projects already started, or about to start, such as a resurfacing project on a section of Bayless Road near I-55. The county also has a $3.9 million resurfacing project underway on Midland Boulevard, between Page Avenue and Canton Avenue, and a $4.7 million resurfacing project on Westport Plaza Drive and Amarine Avenue, from Glenmeade Drive to Lackland Drive.
County executive Sam Page held a press conference to talk about the projects. But he said the dollars for road projects won’t go as far this summer.
“Inflation has elevated the costs of our road and bridge projects by 70% over the assumptions our Department of Transportation made at the beginning of the year,” said Page.
Last month, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones signed the Safer Streets bill. The measure dedicates $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improve road and pedestrian safety.
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Source: MSN.com
