Road Construction Information

I-64 road project impacts visitors to Shriners Hospitals

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) recently released details on a $535 million plan to revamp Interstate 64 (I-64), known to locals as "Highway 40." The plan involves closing the highway, both eastbound and westbound, in two phases over two years— from January 2008 through December 2009.

The portion of I-64 closest to Shriners Hospital – from Ballas Road through I-170, which includes the Lindbergh exits, will close on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. This stretch of highway will remain closed through the end of 2008. Lindbergh Boulevard will remain open during this time.

I-64 is the closest highway to Shriners Hospital and serves as a central artery of the metropolitan area.  The project will have a major impact on how our patients, Shriners van drivers, staff members and visitors reach the hospital during the next few years. When planning to visit the hospital, please allow extra time for travel as the alternate routes may experience heavier traffic volumes.

Shriners Hospital—St. Louis will provide updates on the construction and advice on alternate routes to the hospital throughout the project’s duration.

Traffic Information

Alternate Routes to Shriners Hospital

There are a number of alternate routes into the St. Louis region that will bring you to our hospital. Please refer to a regional map of the St. Louis region for alternate routes and an overview of the construction plans. Listed below are some suggested alternate routes to Shriners Hospital, however, they are not the only alternate routes to our hospital. Please call us at (314) 432-3600 if you need other suggestions.

To reduce your stress as you travel to the hospital, we recommend that you prepare for traffic jams in the St. Louis area by allowing for some extra time to get to the hospital once you enter the region. In addition, you may want to be sure that your vehicle has plenty of fuel and that everyone has used the restroom before you enter the metropolitan region, just in case traffic is jammed on your planned route.

From Illinois (South on I-55)

• Exit at 270 West/South (Kansas City, exit 20)
• Take 270 South approximately 20 miles to Olive Blvd East (exit 14)
• Take Olive Blvd East 2.4 miles to Lindbergh Blvd South
• Take Lindbergh Blvd South 3.3 miles to Shriners Hospital (after you pass under I-64/40, you will turn right at the 3rd stoplight, Litzinger Rd.)

From Illinois (West on I-64)

• Exit at I-255 South
• Cross the bridge Columbia, I-255 becomes I-270 North
• Exit at Manchester Road east bound, exit 9
• East on Manchester (2.4 miles)
• Turn left (north) on Kirkwood Road (this is also known as South Lindbergh Blvd.)
• Travel 1.75 to Shriners Hospitals, turn left at the stoplight, Litzinger Rd.

From Springfield, MO (I-44 East)

• Take I-270 North
• Exit at Manchester Road east bound, exit 9
• East on Manchester (2.4 miles)
• Turn left (north) on Kirkwood Road (this is also known as South Lindbergh Blvd.)
• Travel 1.75 to Shriners Hospitals, turn left at the stoplight, Litzinger Rd.

From Kansas City, MO (I-70 East)

• Take I-270 South to Olive Blvd.
• Exit at Olive Boulevard East (exit 14)
• Take Olive Blvd East 2.4 miles to Lindbergh Blvd South
• Take Lindbergh Blvd South 3.3 miles to Shriners Hospital (after you pass under I-64/40, you will turn right at the 3rd stoplight, Litzinger Rd.)

From Cape Girardeau, MO (I-55 North)

• Take I-270 North
• Exit at Manchester Road east bound, exit 9
• East on Manchester (2.4 miles)
• Turn left (north) on Kirkwood Road (this is also known as South Lindbergh Blvd.)
• Travel 1.75 to Shriners Hospitals, turn left at the stoplight, Litzinger Rd.

Travel Tips and Advice from MODOT

Following are some tips and information for traveling into the St. Louis area during the time of the I-64 closure:

Vehicle Inventory:

• Consider who occasionally rides with you as well as who may need a ride from you while stocking your vehicle.
• Always refuel at the 1/2 tank mark and be prepared to double your normal commute time.
• You may want to considering stocking your vehicle with the following items, in addition to your regular safety inventory such as flashlight, first aid kit and ice scraper:
  • Blankets
  • STL area map with two routes outlined
  • Snacks (specifically if diabetic)
  • Water
  • Stress ball
  • Music variety-relaxation CD
  • Books on tape
  • Extra diaper/baby wipe supply
  • Container with lid such as a coffee can in case of bathroom emergencies
  • Cell phone recharger
  • Change of clothes, etc.
  • If you carry a weapon in your vehicle, place out of reach and unload and be alert to potential road rage incidents from other drivers.
  • Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers due of the high volume calls to local police and longer wait times.
• Blankets
• STL area map with two routes outlined
• Snacks (specifically if diabetic)
• Water
• Stress ball
• Music variety-relaxation CD
• Books on tape
• Extra diaper/baby wipe supply
• Container with lid such as a coffee can in case of bathroom emergencies
• Cell phone recharger
• Change of clothes, etc.
• If you carry a weapon in your vehicle, place out of reach and unload and be alert to potential road rage incidents from other drivers.
• Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers due of the high volume calls to local police and longer wait times.

MoDOT Recommendations:

• With narrower lanes to accommodate extra traffic on I-70 and I-44, MODOT recommends that if you are in a minor accident, drive to the closest off ramp because of limited shoulder width.
• Do not use Ballas Road as a thoroughfare. It will become a bottleneck and is intended for the hospitals and businesses in the immediate area.
• Determine multiple routes prior to leaving for your trip to Shriners Hospital.
• If traveling to the hospital the weekends of January 5-6, or 12-13, please check the latest status on the Lindbergh overpass bridge demolition. For two weekends, Lindbergh access will stop at Clayton Road if traveling northbound and at Ladue Road if traveling southbound. Because of weather conditions, some closures may be postponed.