December 19, 2012
Vol 14
July 13, 2011
No 51
Vol 13 No 28
Westbound Blanchette bridge construction to continue until fall of 2013, MoDOT urging drivers to seek alternative routes and commuting options.
Blanchette Bridge Under Construction Until Fall 2013 By DeAnna Massie
IN this Issue
Anyone relying on I-70 as the primary route to and from St. Charles County is already aware of the major construction taking place on the Blanchette bridge. The $63 million project, which began in November, is expected to take a full year to complete. MoDOT plans on reopening the westbound span in the fall of 2013. In the meantime, traffic will be detoured to the eastbound I-70 bridge. All ramps at Fifth Street will be open except for the ramp from northbound Fifth Street to eastbound I-70. Northbound Fifth Street traffic will have a signed detour on Veterans Memorial to Route 94 to access eastbound I-70. Options For Avoiding Traffic Especially during the busy holiday season, the eastbound lane, which now carries three lanes in each direction with 10 foot lanes and no shoulders, is expected to be congested. Normally, the bridges carry five lanes in each direction. The reduction in lanes will also mean traffic backups during the morning and evening rush drive times. Because of the high volume of drivers on fewer lanes, MoDOT suggests adjusting your drive time to avoid peak rush and to run errands during midday or weekend hours. Of course, commuters heading to work or school do not have the option of avoiding rush drive times, but there are some options. MoDOT suggests that motorists consider Route 370 and Route 364 as the major alternate routes to cross the Missouri River.
Photo courtesy of MoDOT
Commuters can also connect with other riders at RideFinders, the St. Louis Regional Rideshare Program. At no cost to users, RideFinders matches commuters online or over the phone. Drivers and riders can elect to be part of a carpool or vanpool. Carpool riders share the cost of gas with the driver. Vanpool drivers have the entire cost of gas covered by passengers. There are 8,300 carpoolers in almost 4,000 carpools in St. Louis. 900 vanpoolers take advantage of 88 RideFinders vanpools in the region. For employers, colleges and school districts looking to make the commute manageable for employees and students, please note there is no cost or liability to participate in RideFinders. Currently more than 900 employers/ colleges and 50 K-12 schools promote ridesharing. To find a ride or learn more, visit www. ridefinders.org, or call 800.847.7433 (800.VIP.RIDE). What’s wrong with the bridge? The westbound span of the Blanchette bridge was built in the late 1950s.
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Lincoln County Life . . . . . . . . . . . 7 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Major river crossings are designed to teriorate, and expensive emergency relast approxiametly100 years. However, pairs will shut down the bridge more the lifespan of a major river crossing frequently. is dependent on a significant overhaul To ensure the bridge will be safe for at the fifty year mark. Without major See BLANCHETTE BRIDGE page 3 repairs, the bridge will continue to de-
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