Sustainable Streets in St. Louis

The 30-day test is likely to become the new model for the city's street designs.

"The new design reduces four traffic lanes to three, changes the timing of traffic lights, adds curb 'bulb-outs' to reduce the amount of yardage pedestrians need to cross from 56 to 40 feet, and increases lighting and landscaping. About $2.7 million in federal stimulus funds have been awarded for the work.

'The goal is to have 50 percent of the new sections porous surfacing or plantings,' Culbertson said. 'If we do that, then the majority of the water that falls will actually percolate into the ground.' St. Louis has a combined sewage-stormwater system, which can be overwhelmed during downpours."