Lighter MLK Day Holiday Traffic Met With Major I-44 and I-55 Construction Closures

Commute Overview for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, Monday, January 19, 2026, commuters in the St. Louis region can expect significantly lighter traffic volumes due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday. While the morning rush is expected to be minimal, those traveling across the city and into South County should prepare for several major construction-related disruptions and lane closures that remain active today.

Major Highway Alerts: I-44 and I-55

MoDOT has confirmed several specific work zones that will impact travel throughout the day. Motorists should pay close attention to the following areas:

• Interstate 44 (St. Louis City): Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., two eastbound lanes will be closed from Hampton Avenue to Grand Boulevard for pavement repairs. This is expected to cause localized congestion for those heading toward the Downtown area.
• Interstate 55 Bridge Rehabilitation: Major ongoing work continues in South City. One southbound lane is closed from I-44 to north of Bates Street, and two southbound lanes are closed from Bates to Weber Road. Northbound travelers will find one lane closed from Reavis Barracks to Bayless and two lanes closed from Bayless to Virginia Avenue.
• Ramp Closures: Key ramps along the I-55 corridor remain closed through early 2026, including the southbound ramps to Loughborough and Germania, and the Virginia on-ramp to southbound I-55.

I-270 and North County Roadworks

The multi-year project at the Chain of Rocks Bridge continues to affect North County. The westbound exit ramp and the on-ramp at Riverview Drive are currently closed. Additionally, drivers on Route 21 (Gravois Road) in St. Louis County should watch for single-lane closures between Green Park and Reavis Road until 2 p.m. today.

Public Transit and Event Disruptions

Metro Transit is operating on a regular Weekday schedule today for both MetroLink and MetroBus. However, riders should be aware of potential delays and detours near holiday events. The Mid-St. Louis County MLK March is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Normandy High School, moving along St. Charles Rock Road toward Barack Obama Elementary. Localized street closures are expected in the Normandy and Wellston areas during the late morning hours.

In the city, celebratory events at the Missouri History Museum and the St. Louis Art Museum may increase traffic and demand for parking around Forest Park. If you are heading to these venues, consider using MetroLink to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station to avoid congestion on Skinker and Lindell Boulevards.