FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 48

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2678L.03I

            Whereas, the Missouri Department of Transportation has begun "The New I-64 Project" to rebuild and upgrade all pavement, bridges, and interchanges on I-64/US40 between Spoede Road in St. Louis County and Kingshighway Blvd. in St. Louis City; and

            Whereas, the current plans include the closing of portions of I-64 during construction. The western half of the New I-64 Project from Ballas to Brentwood is scheduled to be closed in 2008 and the eastern half of the New I-64 Project from I-170 to Kingshighway Blvd. is scheduled to be closed in 2009; and

            Whereas, I-64/US 40 is one of the most vital transportation arteries in the St. Louis region; and

            Whereas, additional alternative routes during the proposed closing of I-64 include Page, Olive, Manchester, and Lindbergh, with signals on these roads being upgraded to help move traffic; and

            Whereas, approximately 120,000 to 140,000 vehicles travel on I-64/US 40 every day; and

            Whereas, while the New I-64 Project will provide much needed improvements, the closing of portions of I-64 for a two-year period is an unacceptable component of the New I-64 Project; and

            Whereas, the Missouri Department of Transportation has never throughout its 33 year history closed a major highway during reconstruction; and

            Whereas, between now and 2010, 6,000 vehicles per hour will have to travel on alternative routes, with 3,000 of those vehicles estimated to travel I-44 and I-70 as alternative routes. The other alternative routes suggest by the Missouri Department of Transportation do not have the capacity to handle the additional 3,000 vehicles per hour; and

            Whereas, the current traffic flow on I-64 in the portions of St. Louis County and St. Louis City slated for closure will provide undue hardship for residents of the County and City as well as the large volume of vehicular traffic that travels those portions of I-64 on an annual basis; and

            Whereas, the closing of I-64/US 40 and the diverting traffic to interior roads, such as Olive, Ladue, and Clayton Roads, will significantly increase the traffic flow around the numerous elementary schools, fire departments, and the two largest hospitals located in the region; and

            Whereas, the closing of portions of a major interstate will result in an enormous disruption and confusion for commercial traffic, commuters, residents of this State, and visitors to the area; and

            Whereas, an alternative to complete closure of portions of I-64 for 2008 and 2009 needs to be developed to reduce the disruption to traffic in the St. Louis County and St. Louis City area:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby requests that the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation reconsider their proposal to close Highway 40 (I-64) during scheduled road improvements in the St. Louis area; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and Pete Rahn, the Director of the Department of Transportation.