Significant Lane Closures on I-44 and Nighttime Ramp Shutdowns in St. Louis This Thursday

Morning Commute: I-44 Westbound Delays at Kingshighway

Commuters heading westbound on I-44 through St. Louis City this morning should prepare for significant congestion. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), two westbound lanes will be closed at the Kingshighway interchange today, Thursday, February 19. The work is scheduled to take place between 3:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., directly impacting both the morning rush hour and the midday travel period. Drivers are encouraged to allow for at least 15 to 20 minutes of additional travel time or utilize surface streets such as Chouteau Avenue or Manchester Avenue as alternatives.

Overnight Impacts: I-55 and I-64 Ramp Closures

Evening and overnight travelers will face several high-impact closures across the metro area starting tonight. Major highlights for the Thursday night schedule include:

• I-55 Jefferson County: The entrance ramp from Route A to northbound I-55 is scheduled to close at 8:00 p.m. tonight. This closure is necessary for crews to install noise wall panels and is expected to last until 4:00 a.m. Friday morning.
• I-64 Westbound: A significant ramp closure is planned for the I-64/I-55/I-44 interchange. Starting at 7:30 p.m. tonight, the ramp from westbound I-64 to southbound I-55 and westbound I-44 will be shut down for maintenance work. The ramp is expected to reopen by 5:30 a.m. Friday.

Ongoing Regional Construction Projects

Beyond the daily closures, several multi-year projects continue to restrict traffic flow in major corridors:

• I-55 Bridge Rehabilitation: In the city and county, lane shifts and closures remain in effect between I-44 and the River Des Peres. Several ramps, including those at Virginia, Loughborough, and Germania, remain closed as part of this extensive bridge rehabilitation project scheduled through early 2026.
• I-270 Chain of Rocks: Work continues on the I-270 interchange at Riverview Drive. Motorists should be aware of narrowed lanes and ongoing construction as part of the bridge replacement project over the Mississippi River.

Weather and Public Transit Advisory

Current forecasts for the St. Louis region indicate a chance of storms throughout the day, which could lead to slippery road conditions and reduced visibility. Metro Transit is currently operating on a regular schedule, but riders are advised to check the Transit app for real-time updates, as some MetroBus routes may experience minor delays if weather conditions deteriorate. As always, commuters are urged to check the MoDOT Traveler Map or the Gateway Guide for the most current traffic speeds and incident reports before heading out.