Heavy Delays on I-44 and I-55 for Thursday St. Louis Commute

Overview of Today's Traffic

St. Louis commuters should prepare for a challenging travel day this Thursday, February 26, 2026. Significant lane closures on several major interstates and state routes are expected to cause heavy congestion, particularly during the morning and midday hours. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has scheduled high-impact maintenance projects that will restrict capacity on some of the city's busiest arteries.

Major Interstate Alerts

• I-44 Westbound: Drivers traveling through St. Louis City will face major restrictions. Two lanes are closed westbound between Grand Boulevard and Kingshighway Boulevard. This closure began at 3:00 a.m. and is scheduled to last until 2:00 p.m., significantly impacting the morning rush hour and midday delivery traffic.
• I-55 Corridor: Long-term bridge rehabilitation continues to be a major factor for South City and South County drivers. One southbound lane is closed from I-44 to north of Bates, while two southbound lanes are closed from north of Bates to north of Weber. Northbound traffic is also restricted, with one lane closed between Reavis Barracks and Bayless and two lanes closed from Bayless to Virginia Avenue.
• I-270 North County: Ongoing work on the Chain of Rocks bridge project means the westbound exit and on-ramps at Riverview Drive remain completely closed to traffic.

Local Route Closures and Roadworks

Several arterial roads in St. Louis County will see lane reductions throughout the day. Commuters should keep an eye on the following locations:

• Route 100 (Manchester Road): Expect one westbound lane closed between Sam's Drive and Barrett Station Road from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In the Des Peres area, one eastbound lane is closed near Pointe Drive during the same timeframe.
• Route 21 (Tesson Ferry Road): Between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., one lane will be closed in both directions between Green Park Road and Gravois Road for pavement maintenance.
• Route 366 (Watson Road): Maintenance crews have restricted one lane in both directions between Grant Road and Laclede Station Road until 3:00 p.m. today.

Public Transit and Evening Outlook

Metro Transit reports that MetroLink and MetroBus services are operating on a regular schedule today. While no major service interruptions are reported, officials recommend that riders allow extra time for their trips to account for standard weekday congestion and residual road conditions. For those planning a late-night commute, be aware that the southbound ramp from Route 67 to northbound I-55 in Jefferson County will close starting at 8:00 p.m. tonight for bridge work.