Winter Storm Lingers and Major I-55 Closures Impact Wednesday Commutes

Hazardous Road Conditions and Emergency Status

Commuters in St. Louis should prepare for a challenging drive this Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Following the state of emergency declared by Mayor Cara Spencer due to the recent severe winter storm, road conditions remain slick in many areas. While the Street Department’s team of 90 snowplow operators has prioritized primary and secondary arterials, residential streets may still be snow-covered or icy. Motorists are urged to slow down and allow significant extra travel time, especially during the morning rush hour. A Level 4 Code Blue protocol remains in effect through Friday, reflecting the dangerously low temperatures and lingering precipitation.

Major Interstate Work and Lane Closures

Significant construction projects continue to disrupt major arteries despite the weather. The most substantial impacts are located along the I-55 corridor, where multi-year bridge rehabilitation projects are in their final phases. Commuters should navigate the following active work zones:

• Interstate 55: Southbound traffic is restricted to one lane between I-44 and Bates Street, narrowing further to two lanes from Bates to Weber Road. Several critical ramps remain closed through early 2026, including the Virginia Avenue on-ramp to southbound I-55, the Lafayette/Truman ramp to southbound I-55, and the Germania ramp to northbound I-55. The Loughborough Avenue ramps are also completely closed in both directions.
• Interstate 44: Expect heavy congestion in the city as two eastbound lanes are scheduled for closure between Hampton Avenue and Grand Boulevard from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for urgent pavement repairs.
• Route 21 (Tesson Ferry): One lane will be closed in both directions between Green Park and Gravois from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Route 30 (Gravois Road): Single-lane closures are active eastbound and westbound between Route 141 and Seibert Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. Charles County and Outlying Areas

Travelers heading into or out of St. Charles County should be aware of night work and lingering signal issues. The Improve I-70 project in Wentzville continues to impact local traffic, with Route Z closed nightly under the interstate from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Additionally, delays are expected on Northbound MO-367 due to a reported signal malfunction near the I-270 interchange. In St. Charles County, Route 370 is seeing daytime lane restrictions between Mel Wetter Parkway and Route 141.

Public Services and Transit Updates

Due to the prioritization of snow removal, the City of St. Louis Refuse Division has adjusted its schedule. Residents who normally have their trash collected on Tuesdays will see their service moved to today, Wednesday, January 28. Metro Transit reports that MetroLink is currently operating on a regular schedule, though riders should use caution on station platforms which may be slippery. The University City-Big Bend station is open for service, but passengers should check the Metro mobile app for real-time bus detour information caused by local icy patches.