Nov. 14, 2018
St. Charles County, Missouri – Drivers in St. Charles County longing for direct access from Muegge Road to Highway 94 will get their wish thanks to a partnership between St. Charles County, the City of St. Charles, and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). MoDOT recently announced a $5 million cost-share commitment for the project, adding to contributions from St. Charles County and the City of St. Charles of $4 million each. St. Charles County funding comes from the voter-approved ½-cent transportation sales tax.
“St. Charles County has a long history of working with state and local governments to improve its infrastructure for our growing region,” says County Executive Steve Ehlmann. “This partnership is an excellent example of how we all work together to get things done.”
The Mayor of St. Charles agrees. “The City of St. Charles is eager to partner with the County and MoDOT on this project to provide an improved, safer interchange in and out of St. Charles,” says Mayor Sally Faith. “This project shows cooperative spirit at work to provide our area and its residents the transportation services they need.”
Plans for the interchange include a highly unique design – one that is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. It is similar to the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at I-70 and Fifth Street in St. Charles but without traffic signals. The existing bridge infrastructure above Highway 94 will remain in place, and small bridges will be added to accommodate the crossover movements at both ends and eliminate the need for signals.
“When complete, the project will make a big difference in travel time and provide better access to nearby businesses and residences,” Ehlmann says. “Presently, drivers wanting to access Highway 94 from Muegge Road, or Muegge Road from Highway 94, have to take Old Highway 94 to Pralle Lane or St. Peters Parkway to Harvester Road.”
MoDOT District Engineer Tom Blair says the project will provide new direct access to Muegge Road from Highway 94 while preserving the existing free flow movements between MO 364 and Highway 94 within the MoDOT roadway system. “Additionally,” Blair says, “capacity will be added, with an additional eastbound lane, and safety enhancements will be made on Highway 94.”
Plans are in the works for construction and completion of the project in 2021.
Media Contact: Mary Enger, Communications Director, 636-949-1856, or 636-443-1008, menger@sccmo.org
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