St. Louis Under State of Emergency: Heavy Snow and MetroLink Reductions Create Hazardous Sunday Commute

Winter Storm Warning and State of Emergency

Mayor Cara Spencer has declared a state of emergency for the City of St. Louis as a powerful winter storm brings heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures to the region. With 10 to 13 inches of snow forecast through Sunday evening, city officials are urging residents to avoid all non-essential travel. A team of 90 snowplow operators is currently working 12-hour shifts to clear primary routes, but conditions remain hazardous on most major arteries throughout the metropolitan area.

Major Highway Alerts and Ongoing Construction

While the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has paused most scheduled roadwork for the day to focus on snow removal, several long-term projects and recent weather-related incidents are impacting the flow of traffic. Motorists should be aware of the following conditions:

• Interstate 55: Significant lane restrictions remain in place for bridge rehabilitation. Southbound I-55 has one lane closed from I-44 to north of Bates and two lanes closed from north of Bates to north of Weber. Northbound travelers will encounter similar lane closures between Reavis Barracks and Virginia.
• Interstate 270: The westbound exit ramp to Riverview Drive and the on-ramp from Riverview Drive to westbound I-270 are closed as part of the ongoing Chain of Rocks bridge project. Residual delays are also being reported near the Route 367 interchange.
• Interstate 64: Following a major incident reported on the Poplar Street Bridge, drivers should expect slick conditions across the span. Illinois State Police have previously monitored this area for dangerous ice accumulation.
• Route 67: Lane and loop ramp closures at Route D continue to affect commuters in North County, with snow accumulation making these transitions particularly difficult.

Public Transit: MetroLink and MetroBus Adjustments

Metro Transit has implemented winter weather protocols to ensure safety while maintaining service. Commuters relying on public transport should note the following changes for Sunday, January 25:

• MetroLink: Blue Line trains are only operating between the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 and Forest Park-DeBaliviere Stations today. Riders traveling between Blue Line and Red Line stations must transfer at Forest Park-DeBaliviere. Red Line trains are currently maintaining their normal route to Lambert Airport and Shiloh-Scott.
• MetroBus: All bus routes are currently operating on Snow Routes. This means some stops may be bypassed to keep buses on pre-treated, safer roads. Routes like the #1 Main Street-State Street are seeing specific diversions near Fairview Heights.

Safety and Roadway Prioritization

The St. Louis Street Department is prioritizing the clearing of arterial, secondary, and hill routes to keep emergency services moving. Residential side streets will only be addressed once main routes are deemed passable. Motorists who must travel are advised to carry an emergency kit, allow significant extra time, and maintain a safe distance from snowplows. Most major city attractions, including the Saint Louis Zoo and the Gateway Arch, remain closed today due to the severe weather.