Major Lane Closure on Southbound I-55 Highlights Tuesday's St. Louis Commute

Morning Traffic Overview for Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Commuters in the St. Louis metropolitan area should prepare for significant changes on major southern arteries this morning. While most of the region’s highways are moving at standard speeds, a new long-term construction phase beginning today on Interstate 55 is expected to create bottlenecking for those traveling from Jefferson County into the city.

New and Daily Roadwork Alerts

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), several key projects will impact travel times throughout the day:

• I-55 Southbound (Jefferson County): Starting at 7:00 a.m. this morning, February 24, a single southbound lane will be closed between Route 141 and Meramec Bottom Road. This is part of a multi-year expansion project and this specific lane restriction is expected to remain in place through 2027.
• Route 21 (St. Louis County): Expect delays between Green Park and Gravois today. MoDOT has scheduled lane closures in both the northbound and southbound directions from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for pavement maintenance.
• I-55 Bridge Rehabilitation (St. Louis City): Long-term work continues between I-44 and Lindbergh. Commuters should watch for shifted lanes and narrowed paths. Specifically, two southbound lanes remain closed from north of Bates to north of Weber, and two northbound lanes are closed from Bayless to Virginia Avenue.
• I-270 Bridge Replacements: Construction continues on the I-270 bridges over Conway and Ladue Road. While most work is occurring behind barriers, intermittent lane shifts near the I-64 interchange may cause rubbernecking delays during the peak morning rush.

Public Transit and Metro Updates

Metro Transit reports that all services, including MetroLink and MetroBus, are currently operating on their regular schedules. While the region has moved past recent winter weather disruptions, officials advise riders that minor delays may still occur on bus routes transitioning back from previous snow routes. Public meetings regarding upcoming service realignments for the spring season are also ongoing this week; however, no immediate route changes are in effect for today’s commute.

Commuter Recommendations

For those traveling from the south, particularly on I-55 and Route 21, adding an extra 15 to 20 minutes to your travel plans is highly recommended. The new closure at Meramec Bottom is likely to cause initial confusion and heavier-than-normal congestion as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern. Use I-44 or Highway 61/67 as potential alternates if the I-55 corridor becomes heavily backed up during the 8:00 a.m. hour.