RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. (AP) -- The two-year project shutting down major sections of Interstate 64 in the St. Louis area will be completed nearly a month early and $11 million under budget.
Missouri Department of Transportation director Pete Rahn announced at a news conference on Friday that the stretch from Interstate 170 east to Kingshighway will reopen on Dec. 7, well ahead of the scheduled completion date of Dec. 31.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley said that is good news for both commuters and for the many businesses affected by the shutdown.
The project had been expected to cost $535 million.
MoDOT undertook the massive rebuilding project in January 2008. Last year, a stretch from I-270 to I-170 was closed; the eastern segment of the project closed in January.
Before the road opens to traffic, the public is invited to participate in an opening celebration, according to a MoDOT news release.
On Sunday, December 6, the road will be open from noon to 4 pm for the public to walk and bike betwee Hanley and Kingshighway.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 3 pm near the Tamm Avenue overpass.
The interstate was officialy named the Jack Buck Memorial Highway, from McCausland to downtown, and this new sign will be unveiled with the Buck family during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
MoDOT will be hosting a food drive the day of the opening celebration, Operation Food Search will have collection bins for canned food at every interchange ramp along I-64 from Hanley to Kingshighway.
The public is asked to bring canned food when they come out to the celebration on December 6.
Early on Sunday, there will be a 5K run and a cycling time trial, with pre-registration required for both events.
To sign up and learn more information, log onto www.thenewi64.org.
Crews will work overnight to have I-64 open for traffic by 5 am Monday, December 7.
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