MoDOT to Close Lanes on Olive Boulevard for Utility Relocation

ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri American Water will close up to three out of five lanes on Olive Boulevard (Route 340) between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, starting Wednesday, April 14.


The lane closures, on Olive just east of Incarnate Word, will primarily begin in the westbound lanes so Missouri American crews can connect three water mains to a new 42-inch diameter water line. Initially, the current eastbound lanes will be changed to one lane in each direction, while the westbound lanes and center lanes are closed. Early in May, the eastbound lanes will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the center lane. These daily closures may last for up to a month.
This work needs to be done in daylight, to ensure worker safety.


"We are working with Missouri American Water to minimize the lane closures," said Karen Yeomans, west St. Louis County area engineer. "However, since Missouri American Water is relocating about 7,000 feet of water mains for Route 141, there may be times when the work has to extend into the evening rush."


There will also be weekend work on this project which may end later in the day, since certain utility work must be completed once it's started.


Drivers should make every attempt to avoid the area during this work.


Missouri American Water has invested about $3.7 million in the water main relocation, as part of the Route 141 relocation.


This work is part of $44.5 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project to move Route 141 further to the east between Ladue Road and Olive Boulevard, raising the roadway out of the flood plain and improving the traffic flow. It will connect with a St. Louis County project, the Page-Olive Connector, at Olive. In addition, Fred Weber will be completing a $10 million Metropolitan Sewer District upgrade along the Route 141 project.


Work on the Route 141 project has begun and should be finished by summer 2012.