MoDOT to close I-44 near I-270 May 31-June 3 to remove Watson bridge

Drivers who use I-44 for weekend travel will want to consider alternate routes May 31 – June 3, as MoDOT will close the interstate to remove the westbound Watson Road bridge over I-44.

Crews will close all lanes of eastbound and westbound I-44 between I-270 and Geyer Road to remove the westbound Route 366 (Watson Road) bridge over I-44, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, with all lanes closed by 8 p.m.. In addition, the westbound Route 366 bridge will close, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31.


​During the interstate closure, drivers will still be able to get from westbound I-44 to northbound and southbound I-270, and from eastbound I-44 to northbound and southbound I-270, as well as to eastbound Watson Road (Route 366). Eastbound I-44 drivers wanting to continue east on I-44 can take Watson Road, turn onto Lindbergh, and take Lindbergh back to eastbound I-44. Westbound I-44 drivers wanting to continue west on I-44 will need to take the I-270 exit and use the westbound Watson ramp (after the bridge) to continue on westbound I-44 during the closure.

All I-44 lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, June 3. When the lanes reopen, westbound I-44 lanes will remain as they are currently. Eastbound I-44 will be restriped with two through lanes, one ramp lane for northbound I-270 and one ramp lane for southbound I-270.  This will give crews working on the Watson Road bridge the room they need to construct the bridge and complete median drainage and pavement work between the Meramec River and I-270.
When westbound Watson Road over the interstate closes at 7 p.m. Friday May 31, the bridge will remain closed for five months while crews rebuild the bridge. While the bridge is closed, Watson Road drivers can use Lindbergh to access westbound I-44 and northbound and southbound I-270.

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PRESS RELEASE ON MODOT WEBSITE