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Overview
The Missouri Department of Transportation is reviewing the approved Environmental Impact Statement for a new Route 40 Missouri River Bridge. The EIS, approved in December 2004, approved the design location for a new four-lane bridge over the Missouri River upstream of the existing bridges. The new bridge would carry eastbound Route 40 traffic. The existing eastbound bridge, which was built in 1985, will carry westbound traffic.
In the originally approved EIS for the project, the existing westbound Daniel Boone bridge would have remained in place and would carry the Chesterfield Airport Road on ramp and a bicycle lane. The westbound bridge will remain safe for travel; however, due to the condition of the westbound bridge, that plan is no longer feasible.
In the current proposal, MoDOT would not use existing westbound bridge, all westbound traffic would use the existing eastbound bridge built in the 1980’s. MoDOT is proposing to build a protected bicycle lane along the newly constructed eastbound Daniel Boone Bridge.
The department collectedpublic input on the new proposal during a public meeting on May 11, 2010. That information is currently being analyzed and then MoDOT will make its final recommendations to Federal Highway for approval.
Constructing a new river bridge is the last step in bringing Route 40/61 between Interstate 270 and Interstate 70 to interstate standards. Currently, I-64 stretches from Virginia to I-270 in St. Louis County.
There is no funding allocated to constructing this bridge. Current estimates for the bridge top $170 million.
Project Overview
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) completed a Location Study/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the best way to improve the Missouri River crossing on U.S. 40/I-64 between St. Louis and St. Charles counties. This study began in June 2001 and focused on evaluating the corridor’s current and projected traffic needs, safety, condition of the existing bridges, effects to the natural and human environments, and public involvement. The study was completed in early 2004. The record of decision was published in November 2004 and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission approved the study in December 2004.
“The approval of the design location for a new river crossing marks a major step toward a future improvement for travelers in western St. Charles and St. Louis counties," said former St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth. "I’m pleased St. Charles County could assist in funding this study which brings us closer to the reality of another bridge. As the growth in the west continues so will the demands on Route 40."
MoDOT took another step in the overall process in late 2006, awarding a contract to Hanson Professional Services, Inc., to determine which type of bridge will be most effective as well as the preliminary planning for roadway and bridge design. This planning portion should take several years. When additional funds are available, the next step will be developing Right of Way plans.
"Building a major river bridge takes a long time to plan and build," said MoDOT District Engineer Ed Hassinger. "We are pleased to see the project reach another milestone in that process."
Currently, the department is re-evaluting the EIS based on recent inspections of the westbound Daniel Boone Bridge. Although the bridge is safe for travel, it will not be used in the final design.
The Location Study Process
MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) when major transportation projects are expected to have significant impacts to the environment. Detailed evaluation of ways to lessen these impacts must be conducted and documented.
In 2004, the U.S. Route 40/61 Daniel Boone Bridge project reached an important milestone: The Daniel Boone Bridge team has published the Draft Final Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS).
The Environmental Impact Statement documents the possible impacts a major project such as the Daniel Boone Bridge will have on various aspects of both the natural and built environments. Environmental documentation is required in all projects built with federal money. Funding has not yet been identified for the Daniel Boone Bridge project.
Members of the public were able to see that the DEIS answered many questions. A project as significant for the St. Louis region as Daniel Boone Bridge requires judicious planning—and that means taking the time to incorporate community input and feedback to develop the best design possible. Between 2001 and 2004, the Daniel Boone Bridge project team engaged the public to help determine the issues important to the communities that the Daniel Boone Bridge serves. The Daniel Boone Bridge team met with municipalities, the counties, and the public.
“The public’s input has been invaluable to the success of this project," said District Engineer Ed Hassinger.
Issues
Here are some of the issues addressed by both the initial study and the review:
- Traffic and congestion. Drivers crossing the bridges on a daily basis would agree that congestion is a problem. Current and projected traffic volumes require three lanes, an auxiliary lane, and full shoulders in each direction.
- Condition of the existing bridges and safety. Both bridges are safe for motorists and undergo regular maintenance by MoDOT. However, the westbound bridge (built in 1935) has substandard lane widths and lacks shoulders. The eastbound bridge (built in 1985) also lacks adequate shoulders.
- Environmental impacts. As mentioned above, the study team must examine the effects of a new river crossing on environmental factors such as natural resources, wetlands, archaeological sites, and agricultural, public, and private land use.
- Engineering and cost considerations. What is the most efficient and least costly way to construct a new bridge and approach roadways?
Preferred Option
The study team developed five preliminary alignment options for a new river crossing. All of the options include a new bridge structure across the Missouri River, to be placed either upstream or downstream of the two existing bridges. The existing eastbound bridge remains in use under all five options. Some traffic would continue to use the existing westbound bridge with three options - the existing westbound bridge's condition has made those options less preferred. The final two options would remove the existing westbound bridge.
The preferred option is to construct a new four-lane bridge structure on the upstream side of the existing eastbound bridge over the Missouri River on U.S. 40/61 with the continued use of the existing eastbound bridge. MoDOT is also proposing to build a protected bicycle lane along the newly constructed eastbound Daniel Boone Bridge. The project would require roadway and interchange improvements from a point approximately 1,200 feet east of the Chesterfield Airport Road interchange in St. Louis County to the Missouri Research Park interchange in St. Charles County, for a total project length of approximately 2.1 miles.
The new structure upstream of the existing bridges will provide four lanes with standard shoulders. The existing eastbound bridge will carry four westbound lanes. MoDOT will seek an outside organization to take ownership of the existing westbound bridge. If no organization will take ownership, the department proposes removing the existing westbound bridge after the new eastbound bridge and needed roadway improvements are complete.
Cost and Construction
MoDOT estimates the cost of a new bridge structure and approach roadways to be $170 million in 2007 dollars.
At this time, there is still no funding scheduled to complete this project – without a closer analysis of the types of funding coming into the St. Louis region, it is difficult to determine where the Daniel Boone Bridge project stands in terms of funding. But, in order to make sure that this important improvement to the I-40/61 corridor is ready to go when funding becomes available, MoDOT is continuing the process to prepare for construction.
If you have questions or comments about the study or about the bridge, please call MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT, or contact one of the MoDOT team members listed below.
Need More Information?
Thomas Montes-De-Oca, MoDOT Project Manager, 1-888-ASK-MODOT
Andrew Gates, Community Relations Specialist, 1-888-ASK-MODOT |
