Bridge Closure Will Reroute Traffic in St. Louis for a Year

The Martin Luther King's daily trip load has been greatly lessened by the opening of the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge in 2014, but all the drivers currently using the bridge will have to find another way to go.

1 minute read

August 28, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


St. Louis

Nina B / Shutterstock

The Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge in St. Louis for the next year, starting on Monday of this week, reports Shahlan Farza.

"Both directions of the bridge over the Mississippi River, connecting St. Louis and East St. Louis, will be shut down as a part of a construction project led by the Illinois Department of Transportation," according to Farza. "The $24.3 million project includes the demolition and replacement of a smaller, nearby bridge that spans I-55 and I-64." The nearby bridge has been deemed structurally deficient.

"The project also includes resurfacing several ramps, updating lighting and sewer systems on the MLK Bridge and repairing seven other nearby bridges," adds Farza.

In the meantime, the Illinois Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to use alternative routes to and from St. Louis, and to use public transit. "The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates 12,000 drivers cross the MLK Bridge each day, down from 23,000 drivers a day before the opening of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2014," according to Farza.

Saturday, August 25, 2018 in St. Louis Public Radio

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing