Significant Delays on Eastbound I-44 and Major I-55 Ramp Closures Today

Overview of Today's Commute

Good morning, St. Louis. Commuters should prepare for a challenging drive today, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as several major construction projects and lane closures are set to impact traffic flow across the metropolitan area. While weather conditions remain clear and sunny with a high of 47°F, the structural work on our primary arteries will require extra travel time, particularly on the I-44 and I-55 corridors.

Major Highway Work Zones: I-44 and I-55

The most significant impact for city commuters today will be on eastbound Interstate 44. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has scheduled pavement repairs that will require the closure of two eastbound lanes between Hampton Avenue and Grand Boulevard. This work is slated to take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., which will likely cause heavy congestion during the midday and evening rush hours.

On I-55, long-term construction continues to heavily restrict access to and from the city. Commuters should be aware of the following ongoing closures:

• The Virginia Avenue on-ramp to southbound I-55 remains closed through early 2026.
• The southbound exit and on-ramps at Loughborough Avenue are closed.
• The ramp from Lafayette/Truman to southbound I-55 and the Germania Avenue ramp to northbound I-55 are also inaccessible.
• Lane restrictions persist on I-55 from I-44 to Weber Road, with only one or two lanes open in specific sections.

Local Route and Bridge Updates

In addition to the interstate work, several state routes are seeing active daily maintenance today:

• Route 21 (Gravois Road): One lane will be closed in both directions between Green Park Road and Reavis Road from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Additional closures are expected between Walden Ridge and Baptist Church during the same window.
• Route 100 (Manchester Road): Expect delays between Barrett Station Road and Westmark Drive, where the eastbound left lane is closed for ongoing utility and road work.
• I-270: Conway Road remains closed under the I-270 overpass. Furthermore, the westbound exit and on-ramps at Riverview Drive remain closed to all traffic.
• Franklin County: Route MM is closed in both directions between Route T and Coleman Road for essential repairs.

Public Transit and Weather Context

Metro Transit reports that most MetroBus and MetroLink services are running on their regular schedules, though riders should account for minor timing adjustments implemented in the December 2025 service update. While the morning air is crisp with wind chills near 35°F, road surfaces are dry. However, with an arctic blast and potential snow in the forecast for the upcoming weekend, today is an ideal time to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready before conditions change.