Portion of Vandeventer Avenue to Close for Two Months on Monday, December 7

Construction to replace the 80-year old Vandeventer Bridge will result in the closure of Vandeventer Avenue for approximately two months, beginning on Monday, December 7, 2009. Recognizing that Vandeventer Avenue is a major thoroughfare for area commuters, Metro has partnered with the City of St. Louis to plan a detour to keep traffic flowing through that area while work to replace the bridge continues. During the construction period, vehicles on Vandeventer Avenue will need to detour around the area using Chouteau Avenue, Grand Avenue and Forest Park Avenue.

Future work on the construction project will also affect MetroLink service, which will be interrupted beginning Christmas weekend and continuing through Sunday, January 3, 2010. During that time, MetroLink passengers will be able to use specially designated MetroBus vehicles to travel around the construction zone and continue their commute. More details on MetroLink service and MetroBus shuttles will be available closer to the start of that phase of the project.

Built in 1929, the Vandeventer Bridge currently supports three rail tracks: two for MetroLink, and a third for limited freight use. The construction project will completely replace the 80-year old bridge, which is experiencing significant settling and deterioration. Additionally, the construction will improve traffic flow on Vandeventer Avenue by increasing the bridge’s clearance height and widening the roadway. Construction of the new Vandeventer Bridge is scheduled to be completed during the spring of 2010. This construction project is one of several Metro will be working on over the next year or so to enhance the transit system so that it continues to serve as a vehicle to move our region forward.