About the Project

History and Project Background

A plan for an improved connection from south St. Louis County to central St. Louis County has existed since the late 1950s. The original concept was for a freeway “inner belt expressway” to provide better north-south access through the St. Louis suburbs. This freeway concept became Interstate 170 north of Interstate 64/U.S. Route 40. Originally, Interstate 170 was supposed to continue south into the southern part of St. Louis County to provide improved access between Interstates 44, 64 and 55. After much deliberation, area leaders decided in the 1990s not to pursue a southward extension of Interstate 170 due to public concerns.  Although this option was abandoned, St. Louis County, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and other local agencies continued planning efforts to identify potential options for north-south access improvements in south St. Louis County. Further information about the various planning studies that were conducted over the past several years can be viewed by clicking the following links:

• Cross County Major Transportation Investment Analysis (MTIA)
• St. Louis County Arterial Study – South Study Area
• I-44 at Shrewsbury Planning Study
• Hanley Road Corridor Study

The recommendations from these previous studies will be taken into consideration as a part of the EIS process.

Copies of these documents can also be downloaded in the Technical Documents under Previous Planning Documents.