MoDOT will hold a public meeting Thursday evening to present plans for closing a section of Interstate 64 in St. Louis City as part of an upcoming construction project.
Starting in fall 2027, eastbound I-64 between Vandeventer and Compton Avenues will be shut down for approximately one year to allow for the replacement of the eastbound bridge.
The existing bridge, constructed in 1956, requires replacement due to age and deterioration. The structure currently carries roughly 60,000 vehicles daily, according to Jen Wade, MoDOT’s area engineer for St. Louis.
“This area is incredibly vital to St. Louis. Midtown is home to numerous cultural institutions, hospitals, universities, and serves as a major employment and recreation hub with significant residential development. Work in this location carries substantial significance. The impacts will be considerable,” Wade explained. “We anticipated these would create significant disruptions.”
To manage traffic during construction, MoDOT will create a detour route directing vehicles to exit at Vandeventer Avenue, turn left onto Vandeventer Avenue, then right onto Forest Park Avenue before rejoining I-64.
Wade noted that although some residents worry about redirecting interstate traffic onto city streets, the project has been designed with pedestrian safety as a priority.
“We’re upgrading traffic signals to allow additional crossing time for pedestrians, and we’re not expanding any city streets for this detour. Crosswalk lengths will remain unchanged, and increased traffic volume typically results in reduced speeds,” Wade stated.
This closure is part of a comprehensive construction initiative running from 2027 through 2029.
The broader project encompasses a modernized interchange and new roundabout at eastbound I-64 near Grand, repairs to the westbound I-64 bridge spanning Compton to Boyle, and expansion of the Compton Avenue bridge over I-64 to include improved bike and pedestrian facilities.
The total project cost is expected to be just under $120 million. The project is currently in the engineering design phase, with initial designs mostly finalized but not yet confirmed, Wade noted.
“This is when we typically engage the public and say, ‘Here’s our plan and our approach,'” Wade said. “We often receive helpful feedback and community-specific insights, or identify concerns that require attention. Public input at this development stage is invaluable to us.”
The public meeting takes place from 4-7 p.m. on April 30 at 18 Rails, City Foundry, located at 3700 Foundry Way.
The meeting will have an open house format with no formal presentation, allowing attendees to drop in anytime. For those unable to attend, details will be available on MoDOT’s website on the day of the meeting.
