Clayton and Richmond Heights Commuters Are Asked To Alter Their Driving Schedules

If you drive to Clayton or Richmond Heights on Highway 40 from Chesterfield or any points west of Spoede Road in the morning, and return via the highway in the evening, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is asking commuters to alter their schedules.

“We have so many people trying to use the highway at the same time during morning and evening rush hours that traffic is bumper-to-bumper,” Linda Wilson, community relations manager for MoDOT’s St. Louis office, said. “If you can alter your time by as little as 15 minutes, it will make a difference.”

The amount of traffic on the stretch of highway between Spoede Road and Route 94 in St. Charles is becoming increasingly congested and it’s growing. MoDOT did a study of traffic patterns, speeds and peak traffic times to determine the busiest and most congested hours of the day.

While slower than normal traffic occurs 7-8:45 a.m. the worst travel delays are experienced 7:30 a.m.8 a.m. In the evenings, the slower than normal time is 4-6:15 p.m. with the worst travel delays occurring 5 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

“We have shared this information with the large employers located along I-64 and have asked them to share it with their employees,” Wilson said. “By adjusting your schedule it will make a difference on how fast or slow you travel down I-64. You can get there in 20 minutes instead of 45 minutes.”

She suggests drivers adjust the appointments they set and their start and end times at work. Wilson also recommends carpooling and using mass transit to reduce congestion on the highway.

MoDOT gathered speed data from June 1-10 and made these recommendations based on the results. Wilson said the department will continue to evaluate the traffic on Hwy 40 and issue suggestions for reducing congestion.