Blog

The public is invited to join in the celebration of the reopening of the east half of the Interstate 64 ((highway 40) project this Sunday, Dec. 6.

From noon to 4 p.m., the road will be available for bikes and pedestrians for a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk on the road before it opens to traffic Monday, Dec. 7.   Access to the road will be available between

Hanley Road and Kingshighway Boulevard.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on the  westbound lanes of I-64 between Hampton Avenue and the Tamm Avenue bridge.

The ceremony will feature MoDOT Director Pete Rahn and the members of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, the US Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay, State Rep. Rachel Storch, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Louis Mayo  Francis Slay and other elected officials.

Carole Buck, widow of Cardinal baseball announcer Jack Buck, will unveil the sign that designates I-64, in the St. Louis city limits, as the “Jack Buck Memorial

Highway.” The Harris Stowe State University Pep Band will play the national anthem and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will present the colors.

Several organized events are being held on the highway lanes in th  early morning, including a 5K run and a cycling time trial. These events require pre-registration and only registered participants will be allowed to access the lanes for the run or cycling events.

If you plan on attending the celebration, dress for the weather and keep in mind the following tips:

• The Fun on the Freeway event is open from Noon to 4 p.m.  Access is available at every interchange ramp from Hanley Rd to Kingshighway Blvd. Please do not climb fences or barriers to access the highway.  No access at I-170.

• Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the regional food drive “64 Ways to Beat Hunger in St. Louis”. No glass containers, please. Volunteers will be located at every highway access ramp to accept your donations including cash donations.

• WESTBOUND lanes will be for pedestrians ONLY.

• EASTBOUND lanes will be for bicyclists ONLY.  (No motorized vehicles will be allowed.)

• There will be no food or beverages available on the highway.  You cannot bring coolers, alcohol or any kind or glass containers onto the highway.

•  Portable restrooms will be available on both sides of the highway. They are located near the First Aid stations at Hanley, Bellevue, McCausland, Tamm, Hampton (westbound only) and Kingshighway.

• Public parking is available at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, with free Metrobus shuttles running from the college to the corner of Hampton and Oakland. The shuttles will run from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. To access the college parking lots, take Manchester Road to Macklind

Avenue. Oakland Avenue, in front of the college, is expected to be very congested.

•   Parking is also available in Forest Park. You may park in any regular parking space in the Park. Be sure to look for signs that warn where parking is not allowed.  Do not park on private property.  Your vehicle may  be towed.

The interstate will open to traffic before 5 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 7.For more information on the ceremony events, please visit: www.thenewi64.org.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us