Just when the two-year renovation of Hwy 40/64 has almost faded from memory, there is news that a major reconfiguring of roadways around the BJC/WU Medical School Campus is set to begin January 21. Interestingly, this particular plan was proposed more than twenty years ago with significant input from the CWEA Planning & Development Committee.
The press release that follows (posted here with permission) comes from Elizabeth Hollande Durando, Senior Medical Writer, WU Medical School's Office of Medical Affairs.
MODOT
This MoDOT map of Interstate 64/Highway 40 illustrates areas targeted in a road- and bridge-construction project that will be completed in summer 2014.
Road Construction Along Medical Campus To Begin
The Newstead Avenue bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40 is one of four bridges crossing I-64 that will be demolished and rebuilt in a road-construction project scheduled to begin this month.
A road- and bridge-construction project that will impact Washington University — and particularly the Washington University Medical Center campus — is scheduled to begin in the next few days and be completed in summer 2014.
The project, overseen by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), includes construction on Interstate 64/Highway 40 of a new interchange at Tower Grove Avenue and the demolition and replacement of four bridges over the interstate. Those bridges — at Taylor, Newstead, Tower Grove and Boyle avenues — are heavily used by medical center employees, students and patients.
The project also includes related work at Boyle Avenue, the addition of new pavement on I-64 between Kingshighway and Newstead and the resurfacing of I-64 between Newstead and Sarah Street.
The $17.9 million project is intended to improve the flow of traffic around Kingshighway and the east side of the Medical Campus. Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Healthcare are contributing $9.75 million to the effort.
“It will be important to remember that this project will greatly
enhance access to the campus,” says Rick Stanton, the School of
Medicine’s vice chancellor of administration and finance. “We ask for
everyone’s patience and attention to safety during the construction in
the coming months. When the project is complete, we expect it will be
well worth any disruptions we experience.” 
Robert Boston
The Taylor Avenue bridge over Interstate 64/Highway 40 is one of four bridges that will be demolished and replaced as part of a project that will be completed in summer 2014.
The Vandeventer Avenue eastbound exit off of I-64 will be closed at different periods during construction, while the westbound I-64 Vandeventer on-ramp will be closed for the majority of the project.
When I-64 reopens, drivers will have three lanes from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays in each direction of I-64 between Kingshighway and Vandeventer, though the lanes will have shifted and narrowed so caution is urged. Overnight and on weekends, MoDOT will close up to two of those lanes. Other than weekend closures slated for bridge removal, MoDOT will keep at least one lane of I-64 open in both directions at all times.
MoDOT is expecting congestion during the project and suggests that commuters consider Interstates 44 or 70. Those closer to the construction are encouraged to use Chouteau Avenue and Manchester Road or Forest Park Parkway to avoid backups.
The medical center will strive to keep employees, students and others informed of construction updates.
MoDOT plans to post updates to its website, which has further information on the project.
You can read more on the impending road construction in today's Post-Dispatch (here).
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