DECEMBER 16, 2009 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
I NEWS I 15
Motorists return in droves to I-64 on first day how different I-64 is between I-170 and Kingshighway Blvd. Motorists traveling in the Brentwood area also should using caution navigating the new Hanley Road jug handle, as it has changed. Hassinger said one lasting benefit of the project will be the changes to signal timing on major arterial roadways such as Forest Park Parkway and Clayton Road.
Your popcorn. Where does the power to turn a kernel of
sources. Harnessing over 100 megawatts
corn inside out come from? Could be from
of windpower may seem like an awful
a hydroelectric dam on
lot of trouble for family movie night. But like
the
River.
you, we’re thinking long
Or even technology that turns methane
term. Just something to
from landfills into electricity. More and
think about the next time you’re anxiously
more, the truth might
waiting for the microwave to ding.
Osage
surprise you.
At AmerenUE, we’re investing millions in a
©2008 Horizon Wind Energy, LLC
By Casey Godwin Motorists wasted no time coming back to Interstate 64. Officials for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) reported that traffic volumes on I-64 between I-270 and Kingshighway Blvd. were at pre-closure level during the very first morning rush hour the interstate was re-opened. “Most of the traffic that had been on the major interstates and arterial detour routes has come back to I-64 all in one day,” said Ed Hassinger, MoDOT St. Louis district engineer. “We’re seeing volumes that are very similar to what happened before we closed the highway in 2007.” Transportation workers officially opened I-64 in both directions at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. Motorists making the morning commute were greeted by electronic signs that welcomed them back and thanked St. Louis. While there were no major accidents or backups on I-64 the first morning, many drivers were noticeably hesitant on the newly-opened eastern portion of the project, particularly near the I-170 interchange. “Drivers really need to drive this road like they are a visitor from out of town,” Hassinger said. “Watch the signs and drive it like you’re seeing it for the first time.” Hanley Road and Brentwood Blvd. now are a combined exit off I-64. Traveling eastbound on I-64, northbound I-170 is in the far right lane and the Brentwood/ Hanley exit is in the lane just left of that. Additionally, both northbound I-170 ramps on either side of I-64 now give drivers much more time to get over. As traffic returns to I-64 after a two year closure, major detour routes are immediately seeing a big reduction. For example, I-44 between I-270 and I-55 has seen the largest decrease thus far, with an estimated 20 to 30 percent decrease. Officials said that I-70 from I-270 through St. Louis City saw a 10 to 20 percent decrease in traffic and I-270 between I-64 and I-44 dropped 22 percent in traffic volume. “All of those major interstates saw a dramatic drop in volumes back to what it was before we closed (I-64),” Hassinger said. “I think the same thing can be said for local roads as well. The city and county arterial routes saw big drops in volumes and are all operating very well.” Hassinger said Forest Park Parkway, which has served as a detour during the eastern half of the project, was “like a ghost town.” MoDOT officials suggest that motorists visit thenewi64.org to look at the new design before venturing out onto I-64. Hassinger said that drivers will be surprised at
Dig into more at amerenue.com.
variety of cleaner, ever-renewable energy
We Listen. We Respond. We Deliver.
6482-B13_YourPopcorn_7.458x8.687.indd 1
11/6/09 4:12:38 PM