ST. LOUIS - The closure of the east half of I-64 has resulted in increased morning travel times on eastbound I-70 from I-170 to the Poplar Street Bridge.  Travel times have increased up to five minutes more in the eastbound direction compared to the baseline morning times.  The westbound direction has remained the same as the baseline times.  The evening travel remains heavier in the eastbound direction.  As a result, the reversibles will remain in the eastbound direction all the time. 

            "Starting Thursday morning, traffic on eastbound I-70 will have the use of the reversible lanes," said MoDOT I-64 Project Director Lesley Hoffarth.  "Engineers will continue to monitor the travel times on I-70 every week and make changes as needed.  For now, the travel times indicate it should be eastbound all day long."

The reversible lanes could be changed in direction as needed to respond to a crash or other incident along I-70.  Otherwise, the reversible lanes will remain open to the eastbound direction.

Traffic is also impacted at several water main breaks with lane closures around the region.  Two main impacts include one lane closed on westbound Olive at Ballas and on westbound Manchester at Sappington. 

Traffic engineers also noted long backups on I-44 at Grand.  The signal timing has been adjusted and the engineers will continue to monitor this location for additional changes. 

Forest Park Parkway continues to be very heavily used.  The morning backups on I-170 to exit at the Parkway have backed up almost to Olive in the southbound direction and to I-64 in the northbound direction.  The peak time for this exit is 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.

 For more information on the I-64 project, visit www.thenewi64.org/ or call the project hotline at 314-524-9191.  For current traffic, go to www.gatewayguide.com/ or call 5-1-1.

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