Oct. 31, 2018
Contact: Mary Enger, Communications Director, 636-949-1856, or 636-443-1008, menger@sccmo.org
St. Charles County, Missouri – When the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWGCG) engaged the community in its Public Involvement Planning Process earlier this year, one project stood out among the 230 applications submitted for federal funds: Heritage Crossing in St. Charles County. The agency received more than 100 comments – more than double any other application – in support of constructing slip ramps near Heritage Crossing on Route 364 in St. Charles County.
Today, the EWGCG Board of Directors, which includes St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and District 7 County Councilman John White, approved a $2.8 million project to build the new ramps that will alleviate headaches caused by traffic congestion and time lost sitting in traffic. St. Charles County sought and secured 50 percent of the funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program; the other 50 percent comes from the County’s half-cent transportation sales tax.
“Today’s vote is a win for the residents in my district,” says Councilman White. “As a result of my discussions with fellow East-West Gateway board members, along with citizens who spoke out and participated in the public engagement process, we have been successful in securing funding for this important project.”
To access Heritage Crossing, those traveling east on Route 364/Highway 94 have to exit at Woodstone Drive and travel almost two miles on South St. Peters Parkway where there are three traffic signals. Likewise, travelers on Heritage Crossing wanting to travel westbound on Route 364/Highway 94 must travel almost two miles and encounter or cross three traffic signals on North St. Peters Parkway to the entrance ramp at Woodstone Drive. The slip ramps would allow motorists direct access to Heritage Crossing from Route 364.
Councilman White has been talking with residents and actively advocating for the improvements. With his prompting and help from County Executive Steve Ehlmann, these infrastructure enhancements are on the horizon. While MoDOT had no funds for this project, Senator Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring), and Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), gave their support for acquiring funding at the federal level.
“In the course of knocking doors of constituents in my district,” Rep. Christofanelli says, “I have heard from countless motorists about the need for better access to 364. This ramp will save working families time and gas every day, and I was glad to help make it happen.”
County Executive Ehlmann says he advocated for the new slip ramps with safety and convenience for residents and better access for businesses in mind. “There are numerous businesses that have good visibility from Route 364 but poor access to and from the freeway,” the County Executive says. “And, the new ramps will improve access to more than 1,500 residential properties.”
A study by Lochmueller Group, funded by St. Charles County and the City of St. Charles and administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation, verified the slip ramps are needed. The additional ramps will result in significant travel time savings for those who utilize them. The improvement will reduce congestion and foster new economic development opportunities in this area of St. Charles County. It is anticipated that construction will begin in early 2021 and will be complete by the end of that year.
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