Morning Delays Expected on I-55 and Route 21; Winter Weather Lingers for St. Louis Commuters

Friday Morning Traffic Overview

St. Louis commuters should prepare for a slow Friday morning as a combination of long-term construction projects and lingering winter weather impacts travel across the metro area. While Metro Transit services have resumed normal operations following recent snow accumulation, officials are still advising riders and drivers to allow extra time for their journeys this morning, February 20, 2026.

Major Highway Work Zones and Bottlenecks

Several major arteries are seeing significant lane restrictions today. Drivers on I-55 continue to face the heaviest impacts due to the multi-year bridge rehabilitation project. Current restrictions include:

• I-55 Southbound: A single lane remains closed from I-44 to north of Bates, with two lanes closed further south from Bates to Weber. Several key ramps, including those at Loughborough and Germania, remain shut down through early 2026.
• I-55 Northbound: Expect lane narrowing and a single-lane closure from Reavis Barracks to Bayless as crews continue surface improvements.
• I-70/I-64 Interchange: In St. Charles County, eastbound I-70 is reduced to a single lane near the interchange with I-64 and U.S. Route 61 for ongoing bridge work. Commuters coming from Wentzville should expect significant backup during the peak morning rush.
• I-270: Lane shifts are in effect near the I-64 interchange. Additionally, the westbound exit and entrance ramps at Riverview Drive remain closed, requiring detours for north county travelers.

Local Roadworks and Alerts

Local commuters using state routes will encounter several active work zones today. On Route 21 (Tesson Ferry Road) in St. Louis County, one lane is closed in both directions between Green Park and Reavis Barracks until 2:00 p.m. This is likely to impact traffic near the Gravois intersection. In Jefferson County, although the Route A ramp to northbound I-55 was closed overnight, it is scheduled to reopen by the start of the morning commute.

On Route 67, northbound and southbound lanes are restricted at Route D as crews continue safety and resurfacing improvements. Motorists are urged to slow down and follow all posted work zone signs.

Metro Transit and Statewide Travel

Metro Transit reports that while tracks and roads have been cleared of the most recent snow, minor delays may persist across the bus and MetroLink system. Riders are encouraged to use the mobile transit app for real-time tracking. For those planning a cross-state trip this weekend, be advised that I-70 in Kansas City is scheduled for a total closure starting tonight at 8:00 p.m. for bridge demolition, which will impact all westbound travel toward the state line through Monday morning.