Continued I-255 lane closures as prep for large JB Bridge project
Heads up, drivers to and from south St. Louis County.
As preparations continue for a planned Jefferson Barracks Bridge overhaul, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced more I-255 lane closures in the coming days.
MoDOT previously announced that one lane of westbound I-255 over Koch Road in south St. Louis County would be closed through December for pavement repairs to ensure the bridge is in good condition to handle extra traffic expected when the eastbound I-255 bridge over the Mississippi River closes in April and traffic is shifted to the westbound bridge.
Also, one lane of I-255 eastbound from Telegraph Road to Illinois will be closed the next several days (excluding weekends) from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, two westbound lanes of I-255 will be closed from Koch Road to Illinois from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
MoDOT Communications Specialist Andrew Gates said much of the work going on right now is to prepare for the upcoming traffic switch to the westbound bridge for the remainder of the year – and the two-lane closures include the one lane that will remain closed through December.
“Right now, they have one lane closed pretty much around the clock in both directions,” he said. “At night, usually they push that out to a second lane while traffic levels are low. This allows them to re-stripe the roadway and put the barrier wall up that they need for safety during the upcoming bridge work.
Gates added that once the eastbound bridge closes, drivers will have one lane closed around the clock in each direction.
“The remaining two lanes in each direction (four total) will go across the westbound bridge,” Gates said.
The eastbound bridge closure is expected in early April, MoDOT has said. The closure won’t be on April 1, as was projected.
“Right now, we’re delayed – won’t happen this Friday – they have to extend a pipe under the crossover,” Gates said. “We’ll share news as soon as we have something.”
For more information on the overall JB Bridge rehabilitation project, click here.
