Just when the two-year renovation of Hwy 40/64 has almost faded from memory, there is news that a major reconfiguring of roadways
around the BJC/WU Medical School Campus is set to begin January 21. Interestingly, this particular plan was proposed more
than twenty years ago with significant input from the CWEA Planning & Development Committee.
The press release that follows (posted here with permission) comes from Elizabeth Hollande Durando, Senior Medical Writer, WU Medical School's Office of Medical Affairs.
MODOT
This MoDOT map of Interstate
64/Highway 40 illustrates areas targeted in a road- and
bridge-construction project that will be completed in summer 2014.
Road Construction Along Medical Campus To Begin
Office of Medical Public Affairs
The Newstead Avenue bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40 is one
of four bridges crossing I-64 that will be demolished and rebuilt in a
road-construction project scheduled to begin this month.
A road- and bridge-construction project that will impact Washington
University — and particularly the Washington University Medical Center
campus — is scheduled to begin in the next few days and be completed in
summer 2014.
The project, overseen by the Missouri Department of Transportation
(MoDOT), includes construction on Interstate 64/Highway 40 of a new
interchange at Tower Grove Avenue and the demolition and replacement of
four bridges over the interstate. Those bridges — at Taylor, Newstead,
Tower Grove and Boyle avenues — are heavily used by medical center
employees, students and patients.
The project also includes related work at Boyle Avenue, the addition
of new pavement on I-64 between Kingshighway and Newstead and the
resurfacing of I-64 between Newstead and Sarah Street.
The $17.9 million project is intended to improve the flow of traffic
around Kingshighway and the east side of the Medical Campus. Washington
University School of Medicine and BJC Healthcare are contributing $9.75
million to the effort.
“It will be important to remember that this project will greatly
enhance access to the campus,” says Rick Stanton, the School of
Medicine’s vice chancellor of administration and finance. “We ask for
everyone’s patience and attention to safety during the construction in
the coming months. When the project is complete, we expect it will be
well worth any disruptions we experience.” 
Robert Boston
The Taylor Avenue bridge over
Interstate 64/Highway 40 is one of four bridges that will be demolished
and replaced as part of a project that will be completed in summer 2014.
In the project’s first phase, the Taylor and Newstead bridges will close
Jan. 21, shortly after the morning rush, and will remain closed over
the interstate until November. After new bridges are installed over I-64
at Taylor and Newstead, MoDOT will demolish the Tower Grove and Boyle
bridges, likely in the fall of 2013.
The Vandeventer Avenue eastbound
exit off of I-64 will be closed at different periods during
construction, while the westbound I-64 Vandeventer on-ramp will be
closed for the majority of the project.
I-64, between Kingshighway and Sarah, also will be closed at times
during the project. The first such closure will be the weekend of Jan.
25-27, when both directions of the interstate will be shut down for the
removal of the Taylor and Newstead bridges. The roadway will be closed
following the evening rush Friday, Jan. 25, and will reopen by 5 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 28.
When I-64 reopens, drivers will have three lanes from 5 a.m.
to 7 p.m. weekdays in each direction of I-64 between Kingshighway and
Vandeventer, though the lanes will have shifted and narrowed so caution
is urged. Overnight and on weekends, MoDOT will close up to two of those
lanes. Other than weekend closures slated for bridge removal, MoDOT
will keep at least one lane of I-64 open in both directions at all
times.
MoDOT is expecting congestion
during the project and suggests that commuters consider Interstates 44
or 70. Those closer to the construction are encouraged to use Chouteau
Avenue and Manchester Road or Forest Park Parkway to avoid backups.
Medical center administrators also are encouraging the use of alternate
routes and public transportation and are asking employees and students
to plan for additional travel time, especially during rush-hour periods.
The medical center will strive to keep employees, students and others informed of construction updates.
MoDOT plans to post updates to its website, which has further information on the project.
You can read more on the impending road construction in today's Post-Dispatch (here).