Politics & Government

Traffic Jerk of The Week Re-Vote!

All lanes closed on Route 61/67, between Routes M and Z, for bridge Replacement over Koch's Creek in Jefferson County.

What's even more maddening than road closures and construction? Inconsiderate, irresponsible drivers that make you just shake your head in disbelief. Each week on Patch, we'll highlight some of these Traffic Troublemakers, plus give you a look at what to expect on the roads courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Traffic Troublemakers

A comment on last week’s column about a Patch editor (Jean Whitney, Chesterfield) who wouldn't dim her high beams because she had a light out, suggested the editor should have been a candidate.

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The SUV driver blinded by the high beams—who then switched lanes, slowed the SUV, pulled behind the editor, and flashed high beams in response—should not have been a candidate, the reader said.

Who was really being inconsiderate, the high beam editor, or the SUV driver who had to share the road with her?

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Who’s side do you take? Scroll down to vote below!

Now, from Fenton-High Ridge editor Dan Barger,

“A guy driving a pickup truck on Highway 30 in High Ridge that was overloaded with tree limbs was blissfully unaware of the fact that leaves and twigs were flying out of the back of his truck to the extent that the debris was flying into the cars behind him.”

From regional editor Kurt Greenbaum,

“North on Lindbergh, entering Highway 40 west: The entrance ramp reduces from two lanes to one. On Wednesday, over my right shoulder, I hear the black pickup's engine rev to a scream as it tries to pass me. Why is it so important to be one car ahead, when he could easily have slipped in behind — where he was?”

Hmm, seems to be a pickup truck theme here…

Send your nominations for next week's Traffic Troublemaker to doug.miner@patch.com.

 

Here's a look at the latest road closures and construction projects in the area.

Jamieson overpass to be open by Thanksgiving

Crews are continuing to construct the Jamieson overpass on Interstate 44.  They are planning to have the roadway open to traffic before Thanksgiving.
 

Work on both sides of  270 from Olive to 70

In North St. Louis County, one to two lanes will close on northbound I-270 from Olive Boulevard to Interstate 70 to repave a portion of the interstate. Crews will close one lane on northbound I-270 every evening at 8 p.m. A second lane closes at 9 p.m.  Those lanes will open by 5 a.m. on weekdays and by 8 a.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Crews will be striping portions of southbound I-270 between I-70 and Olive Boulevard daily from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

And downtown…

Work continues on eastbound I-64.  Crews will close the Pine Street ramp daily between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Crews will also close the Chestnut Street ramp Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. During peak travel times, one lane will remain open on the Chestnut Street ramp. On Thursday night, crews will close the Grand ramp onto westbound I-64 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for bridge repair work.

No work all Thanksgiving weekend 

All construction work on state routes will stop at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 23 to open up the roadways for travel for Thanksgiving. Work may continue on permanently closed roadways or behind permanent barriers. Work will resume Monday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.

On-going closures:

  · I-70, St. Louis City, right lane on eastbound I-70 closed from St. Louis Avenue to Broadway until summer 2012.
  · I-44, St. Louis City, Jamieson bridge closed over I-44.
  · I-64, St. Louis City, eastbound 11th Street exit ramp closed weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  · I-70, St. Louis City, express lanes are closed until mid-December.
  · I-70, St. Louis City, the ramp from eastbound I-70 to 10th Street has permanently closed.
  · Grand Blvd, St. Louis City, closed from I-64 to Chouteau by St. Louis City until mid 2012.
  · Route 141, St. Louis County, Ladue Road (Route AB) closed east of Route 14 until early December.
  · I-255, St. Louis County, northbound right lane and shoulder closed until late December 2011.
  · Route 61/67, Jefferson County, all lanes closed from Routes M and Z until late November 2011 for bridge replacement over Koch’s Creek.


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