PR Assignment: Highway 40 Construction

Highway 40 is being closed for improvements and anyone who has ever gotten on or off the highway at Lindbergh is happy. If not that exit try Hampton.

While the highway had a lot of character it was just time. The problem arises in the fact that Highway 40 is the main route connecting St. Louis City to St. Louis County. Thousands of people travel it everyday just to get around the Metropolitan area.

I don't know the exact dates for all of the construction but they're going to do it in sections. This year they're taking out several bridges and exit ramps from Hanley to Kingshighway. In 2008 40 will be closed from Spoede to 170. In 2009 it will be closed from 170 to Kingshighway.

Most people are concerned and scared about physically getting around with these closures which is a valid thing to worry about.

However I know the side roads here in St. Louis like the back of my hand, so I'm more concerned with the economic effects of these closures on the local communities. I don't have the data or the numbers but I think it's safe to assume that most people, specifically those that dwell in West-County along Highway 40 will frequent the city less often due to the inconvenience of getting there. In 2009 it will be even worse with practically all of the communities around 40 not having a convenient way of getting to the city.

I've been brainstorming a little and here are my predictions on what may happen because of the construction:

1. Development in the city will slow down.
Most of the consumer money put into the city comes from residents of the county. With no way of getting there businesses will take a hit and developers will be less likely to invest. Those who already have invested in projects like Ballpark Village for instance are screwed.

2. Mid-County specifically Richmond Heights will take a hit.
A lack of money coming in from the West will wreak havoc on the principalities in Mid-County like Richmond Heights, Brentwood, Maplewood, University City and Clayton. Richmond Heights will take a huge hit due to the location of the Galleria at 40 and 170. Residents west of 170 will just stop coming because it will be easier to get to the West County Mall. This happens at an extremely inopportune time because Richmond Heights just revealed plans for development around the Galleria.

3. Public Transportation starts to take off.
With all the construction some in the county may just start using the Metrolink to get downtown. After all it almost runs directly along Highway 40 and from personal experience is rather convenient.


That's just some of the things that might happen. Go ahead and share your ideas on the matter.