Construction on St. Louis Roads in 2024

We have all had that feeling of dread. Maybe we are running late on our way to work, trying to get our kids to practice, or have almost reached our destination when we see the flashing lights, cones, and signs that alert us to the necessary evil that is road construction. Road construction helps to maintain safe roads for motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Yet, road construction can prove to be incredibly dangerous.

Dangers of Road Construction

Sadly, every year, many people are injured in accidents that occur in construction zones. In the United States, about 3 people are killed every day in a construction zone. National statistics have also found that:

• There has been a 61% increase in work zone crashes between 2013 and 2021.
• In 2022, 64% of highway contractors said that a motor crash occurred in their work zone.
• In 2022, 37,701 people were injured, and 528 were killed in a construction zone.
• In 2022, 65% of construction zone deaths included the driver of the vehicle.

Car accidents in construction zones can be incredibly dangerous. When it comes to construction in the state of Missouri:

• In 2022, 840 construction zone related accidents involved a big truck or semi.
• In the St. Louis area in 2022, there were 25,603 total accidents in construction areas.
• In the St. Louis area in 2022, there were 4 construction zone accidents that proved to be fatal.

Construction Zone Safety Risks

As a personal injury attorney with decades of experience, I have found that some of the most dangerous places in construction zones are at the beginning where traffic starts funneling to fewer lanes. Research has found that accidents, specifically rear-end, were more severe when they took place upon approach of the work zone. Drivers may be changing lanes, merging, or failing to slow down. Additionally, narrowing construction lanes substantially contributes to car accidents. The most frequent types of construction zone collisions include rear-end (34%), broadside/right-angle (27%), and sideswipe (20%).

When it comes to accidents in construction zones, there are many contributing and escalating factors. However, choosing to ignore flaggers and traffic control, being intoxicated, and speeding cause roughly 60% of fatal accidents. Following too closely to the vehicle ahead (tailgating) and driver inattention contribute to about 70% of injury-related accidents. Driving at night through highway construction zones has also been found to be about five times more dangerous than driving through during daylight hours.

Construction Zone Safety Risks and Big Trucks

Another significant risk in construction zones is related to semis and big trucks. This is a reality that is deeply felt by our client, Melinda Pennycuff. Melinda, who was a guest on episode 16 of our podcast, After the Crash, shared about the loss of her uncle, Robert Hogan. Robert and his close family friends were returning from vacation on a summer night when they entered a construction zone on I-65 in Kentucky. The left lane was closed, and the vehicles had slowed to merge. There had been warning signs for miles, as well as flashing lights to signal that the lane was narrowing. However, a semi-tractor trailer, that had its cruise control set above the speed limit, plowed into the back of the vehicle. Tragically, the six people in the vehicle, including Robert, were killed.

In 2020, 26.4% of all fatal and 14.7% of non-fatal construction zone crashes involved at least one large truck. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the most common types of accidents involving big trucks and 18-wheelers include angle, head-on, and rear-end collisions.

Safety risks for these semis include narrow lanes, shifting speed limits, extended stopping distances, and blind spots. If a big truck is going 55 mph, the necessary stopping distance is 50% greater than the necessary stopping distance of a passenger vehicle. Semis also have various blind spots that can be hazardous in construction zones. On the driver and passenger side of an 18-wheeler, there is a blind spot from the cabin door to around halfway down the trailer. They also have a blind spot behind the trailer for about 30 feet, and in front of the truck about 20 feet. It is always important to be mindful of these blind spots when sharing the roads with semis, and especially in construction zones.

12 Safety Tips to Keep You Safe in Construction Zones

What can you do to keep you and your family safe in construction zones?

1. Pay Attention to the Road: No matter whether there is construction ahead or not, when operating a motor vehicle, we should always be paying attention to the road. When it comes to construction zones, paying attention is significantly important. Construction zones often have cones, rough roads, narrow paths, and lanes that can change every day. When passing through a construction zone, make sure that you are driving defensively. Be mindful of your surroundings and stay focused.
2. Ditch the Distractions: In order to pay attention to the road, it is important to stay alert and ditch the distractions. When coming upon or entering a construction zone, it is important to refrain from changing the radio station, using your phone, eating, drinking, or participating in any activity that will take your focus away from the road. No matter how experienced of a driver you are, distractions can be dangerous or deadly.
3. Merge Into the Proper Lane: When you see signs telling you that lanes may be merging or closed ahead, do what you can to get into the necessary lane well before the cutoff. With this, remember that traffic patterns and layouts may change daily. Every time you drive through the construction zone, make sure you are following signage, rather than just doing what you have done previously.
4. Don’t Unnecessarily Change Lanes: After merging into the proper lane, it is best to stay in that lane. Often in construction zones, there will be signs warning against changing lanes. It is important to listen to these warnings that are meant to protect drivers. If shifting lanes require vehicles to merge, make sure to move with caution, follow the roadway indicators, and with plenty of warning to other motorists.
5. Don’t Tailgate: Tailgating is great for football games, but terrible for construction zones. Make sure that you are following vehicles at a safe distance. Rear-end collisions are the most frequent accidents in construction zones. Be prepared for sudden stops, braking vehicles, and large trucks that may require additional space to stop. With that, make sure to refrain from cutting off a big truck or semi. This could be an incredibly dangerous choice.
6. Follow the Posted Speed Limit: Speed limits help to protect you, other drivers, and construction workers. It is vitally important to refrain from speeding in these zones. Construction areas are often tight, congested, and roadways may be uneven. In these circumstances, it is crucial to be able to stop quickly and safely to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Additionally, there are often significant fines, ranging from $300-$1,000, for drivers who speed through construction zones.
7. Keep Your Headlights On: Keeping your headlights on allows you to be visible to construction workers, as well as other vehicles. This extra precaution can be incredibly helpful when it comes to keeping you and others safe in construction areas.
8. Be Mindful of Flaggers and Workers: Flaggers are most often found in areas where there is only one lane available. It is important to respect their directions and efforts to keep you, and others, safe. Their job is to help traffic flow as smoothly and safely as possible. When it is your turn to move through, make sure to keep your distance from all workers, and to drive slowly and cautiously.
9. Expect the Unexpected: Even if you are staying within the speed limit, staying in the proper lane, obeying flaggers, and maintaining a safe distance, other drivers may not. Use defensive driving and be prepared for risky driving from other motorists.
10. Be Patient: Construction zones can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and frustration. However, it is important to remain calm and patient. Road rage can make a situation go from annoying to life-threatening. Construction zones are there to help keep people safe. Getting angry, impatient, or driving aggressively will not help traffic move any faster.
11. Leave Yourself an Out: Be sure to leave yourself room between the vehicle in front of you and always be looking for an out if faced with a sudden emergency. I prefer to drive in a lane where there is room to move off the road if necessary. If you are stopped or slowly and notice a semi or other vehicle in your rearview mirror not slowing, you need a plan of where you will take your vehicle. That may be leaving the roadway.
12. Plan Ahead: Before commuting, check your route. If there is a construction zone, see if there is an alternative way to go. If not, allow extra time for delays so that you don’t need to speed to reach your destination on time.

The Major Projects in St. Louis

This map shows all of the active construction sites in St. Louis. As you plan ahead for construction zones, here are the ongoing projects in the St. Louis area:

• Interstate 55 Bridge Rehabilitation in St. Louis and St. Louis City
  • This project started in fall of 2021 and is set to be completed by 2026. This project will provide repairs and maintenance on bridges, as well as resurfacing various portions of the interstate and roadways. Drivers can expect narrow and shifting lanes in each direction of traffic, as well as ramp closures. Currently, there are three lanes northbound and two lanes southbound in the area of Green Park Road. Additionally, there are two lanes in each direction between River Des Peres and Loughborough.
• I-270 Over the Mississippi River – Madison County
  • This project will replace the Chain of Rocks Bridge of I-270 over the Mississippi River that connections Madison County, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. Today over 51,000 vehicles cross this bridge every day. With construction, there will be four lanes available for traffic. The Riverview Drive entrance ramp to eastbound I-270 will be closed until July of 2024. The detour for this route can be found here.
• Spanish Road Bridge
  • This construction project will provide new curb ramps and sidewalks for pedestrians.
• S. McDonnell Bridge
  • This project will replace the bridge that crosses over Coldwater Creek, as well as removing contaminated soil. This project began March 20, 2024, and will continue through 2025. During the period of construction, McDonnell Boulevard, between Byassee Drive and Eva Avenue, will be closed. About 15,000 cars and trucks cross this bridge every day. The suggested detour during construction is via Banshee Road.
• Airport Road: Resurfacing and Improvement Project in St. Louis County
  • This construction project will offer new curb ramps and sidewalks, traffic signal upgrades, and pavement resurfacing. This project is set to be completed by Summer of 2024.
• Jennings Station Road North
  • This project, which started in January of 2024, is projected to be finished in August of 2024. This improvement will provide pavement resurfacing and repairs, curb ramp and sidewalk repairs, crosswalk signs, and new traffic signs.
• McKelvey Road Improvements
  • This project will provide enhancements to McKelvey Road between Glenpark Drive and Creve Coeur Mill Road. This improvement includes pavement resurfacing and adding ADA-compliant sidewalks along the road.
• Bennington-McKelvey-Ameling
  • Construction on this site began in fall of 2023, and will provide pavement resurfacing, curb repairs and replacements, new sidewalks, and crosswalk signals. Delays can be expected from McKelvey Road to Bennington Place, Dorsett to Ameling, and Bennington to McKelvey.
• West Port Plaza Drive
  • The goal of this project is to provide new pavement for West Port Plaza Drive and Marine Avenue. These improvements will span from Glenmeade Drive to Lackland Road. Additionally, curb repairs and ramps, new sidewalks, and crosswalk signs will be replaced. These repairs are scheduled to be finished by the end of May.
• Midland Boulevard West
  • These repairs started in October of 2022, and are scheduled to be completed in spring of 2024. This project includes pavement resurfacing and sidewalk repairs of Midland Boulevard. Delays can be expected between Lindbergh Boulevard to Woodson Road.
• North Hanley Road (A) Resurfacing
  • This road resurfacing started in the spring of 2024 and is set to be finished by August of 2024. Delays can be anticipated between St. Charles Rock Road to Natural Bridge Road.
• Mason Road Improvements
  • This project will provide all new asphalt resurfacing of the road, curb ramp replacements, and new signals at Clayton Road. Mason Road will be under construction from Clayton Road to the south of I-64.
• Baxter Road South
  • These improvements include pavement resurfacing, sidewalk repairs, new bike lanes and walking paths, and new guardrails. Work on Baxter Road will span from Manchester Road to Clayton Road.
• Wyncrest Drive
  • This construction project will replace and widen the Wyncrest Drive Bridge. Additionally, a pedestrian path will be added to the bridge.
• Berry & Big Bend Road
  • Work on this intersection started in 2023 and is set to be completed in fall of 2024. This project will add a right-turn lane on Berry Road and will provide a sidewalk from Big Bend Road to Grove Avenue.
• Buckley Road Bridges
  • This project will replace an existing bridge and add a pedestrian sidewalk on one side of the bridge. The new structure is located south of Lemay Ferry Road.

Final Thoughts

Construction is a helpful part of life that can become incredibly dangerous when not handled with caution. However, there are many things that you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, and other drivers when it comes to safely handling construction zones. Unfortunately, however, accidents will still take place in construction sites. At Craig, Kelley and Faultless LLC, we know how serious a construction zone accident can be. If you or someone you love has been injured due to reckless or distracted driving in a construction zone, you need an attorney that will fight on your behalf. Our team has expertise and years of experience to help you get what you deserve.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner, as well as one of the founding partners of the law firm of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is also recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help victims and their families as they navigate through a terrible situation and answers the host of questions that come after a tragic wreck. He is also the host of the podcast, After the Crash where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol on roads regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.