Proposed I-70 Fifth Street Interchange Improvements Focus of Public Open House Feb. 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2014

Press Contact: Colene McEntee, Public Affairs Coordinator, (636) 949-1864,  cmcentee@sccmo.org                                            

WHAT: The I‐70 Fifth Street Interchange provides access to many regional attractions, businesses, shops, restaurants, hotels and employment centers. To accommodate current and future traffic flow, improve safety and to reduce driver frustration and confusion, proposed improvements are being studied. A public open house is being held to present the proposed improvements and to get citizen feedback.

WHO: The Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Charles County, and the City of St. Charles.

WHEN: Thursday, February 13, 2014, 4-6 p.m. The public is invited to stop by anytime during the open house.

WHERE: St. Charles County Administration Building, 201 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301

WHY: Nearly 50% of traffic crossing the Blanchette Bridge exits at Fifth Street or Route94/First Capitol Drive in St. Charles County. This area is one of the busiest I-70 segments in the State of Missouri. In this heavily traveled corridor, motorists face confusing intersections, intensive lane changing, and short merging areas. While several area roads have been upgraded in recent years, the I-70 Fifth Street Interchange has not. Studying potential improvements for this interchange is the missing link needed to improve traffic flow and safety on this busy corridor.

The Fifth Street Interchange Improvements Project is different from the Fifth Street Gateway Project, which is looking at roadway improvements from Bass Pro Drive/Ameristar Boulevard to First Capitol Drive. However the primary goal of both projects is to improve traffic flow and safety in the City of St. Charles.

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