Southbound Interstate 55 improvements at Route M

Construction of Jefferson County's first roundabout

has been completed and is open to traffic

 

The Project Includes:

• New southbound Interstate ramp from new roundabout on Metropolitan Blvd.

• Closure of the southbound I-55 weigh scale and virtual weigh scale on Route 67.

• Jefferson County’s first roundabout

The southbound entrance ramp to I-55 from

Metropolitan Blvd is now open

 

Construction began in December 2009 through end of 2010. Construction work will address the congestion problems caused by the short, tight loop ramp at Route M and the slow moving trucks entering and exiting the weigh scale. The project construction cost is approximately $3 million and funded by a federal earmark.

To view the roundabout click here (1 page, 1.71 mb)

 

For more information:

To view information about the virtual weigh scale click here (1 page, 1.12 mb)

On December 7th, the Route M to southbound Interstate 55 ramp was closed and traffic detoured to US 61/67.  Route Z and Metropolitan was temporarily changed to an all- way stop intersection.  Traffic signals will be installed at this intersection to handle the additional traffic due to the ramp closure. 

 

Southbound Interstate ramp from new roundabout on Metropolitan Blvd.

Construction Impacts and Schedule:

• Project started in December 2009

• Closure of the Route M to Interstate 55 Southbound loop ramp (December 2010- early 2011) . Traffic will be detoured to Highway US 61/67 to access Interstate 55 south at Route Z until the new ramp is complete.  

• Widening of the southbound Interstate 55 exit ramp at Route M.  This ramp currently has a shared left and through lane at the intersection with Route M.  The new widening will allow for separate left and through traffic lanes for the ramp. Improved signing on the ramp will help direct drivers and reduce lane confusion. The ramp will also be straightened removing the curve approaching Route M in 2010.

• The Metropolitan Blvd approach to Route M will have dual right turn lanes -- one lane designated for access to the left turn lane to northbound Interstate 55, the other lane to head toward US 61/67. Overhead signing will designate the lane drivers are to use.

• Construction of the roundabout. There will be no improvements made to Marriot Lane. 

• Lengthening of the right turn lane from Route M eastbound to Metropolitan Blvd.

• March 2010 closure of the Barnhart scale house and construction of virtual weigh scale on Route 67.

• Two weekend closures of Interstate 55 southbound ramp to US 61 southbound will be necessary for the installation of equipment for the virtual weigh scale.  The first closure will be necessary to prepare the pavement for the new equipment.  The second closure will be for the installation of the scale sensors for the weigh in motion feature of the virtual weigh scale.  During the weekend closures of this ramp, traffic will be signed to exit Interstate 55 southbound at Route A and proceed down Route A to the US 61/67 connection to US 67 southbound.

• The Barnhart weigh scale site will have access to Metropolitan only and will be converted to a commuter lot in 2011.

 

Barnhart weigh scale to close and Virtual Weigh Scale to open on Highway 67

The Southbound Interstate 55 weigh scale house at Barnhart will be closing in the Spring 2010.  The new scale house will open in 2011 in Ste. Genevieve County. Missouri's first virtual weigh scale will open in March 2010 on Highway 67 near I-55.

The virtual weigh scale will feature sensors in the pavement that provide patrol officers with safety information such as truck weigh and license plate images.  Officers will be able to inspect commercial vehicles at a site near Buck Creek.

Two weekend closures of Interstate 55 southbound ramp to US 61 southbound will be necessary for the installation of equipment for the virtual weigh scale.  The first closure will be necessary to prepare the pavement for the new equipment.  The second closure will be for the installation of the scale sensors for the weigh in motion feature of the virtual weigh scale.  During the weekend closures of this ramp, traffic will be signed to exit Interstate 55 southbound at Route A and proceed down Route A to the US 61/67 connection to US 67 southbound.

To view information about the virtual weigh scale click here (1 page, 1.12 mb)

Jefferson County’s first roundabout

A roundabout in the area of Marriot Lane will be built on Metropolitan Blvd.  This roundabout provides a safer way to access Interstate 55 as well as improvements to the traffic flow along Metropolitan.

To view the roundabout click here (1 page, 1.71 mb)

This roundabout will have access to Southbound Interstate 55, Marriot Lane, the commuter lot/ MoDOT maintenance building, and Metropolitan Boulevard. No improvements will be made to Marriot Lane. The southbound ramp to Interstate 55  in the new roundabout on Metropolitan will replace the loop ramp that is currently in place. Motorists will make yielding right turns around the roundabout to access all roads.  The roundabout loop is designed to handle tractor trailers.

For more information about roundabouts in Missouri:

http://www.modot.mo.gov/central/major_projects/documents/233.3_DrivingtheRoundaboutWay.pdf

To view a video animation of driving a roundabout click here