MoDOT Announces Public Meeting to Discuss Alternatives for Lid over I-70 at Arch

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced a public meeting to discuss "several proposed alternatives for the Park over the Highway portion of the CAR2015 project." The CityArchRiver preferred euphemism for the "lid", the "Park over the Highway" as currently designed would remove several blocks of city streets, necessitating the reversal and widening of existing I-70 highway ramps and additional highway infrastructure to retain access to Washington Avenue from the south. The new ramps would necessitate the removal of the Pine Street bridge, one of just four access points along the Arch grounds.

The meeting, set for 3:00-5:00 p.m., next Tuesday, April 10, may be the only official opportunity for individuals to converse with MoDOT regarding what is a significantly flawed design. From the MoDOT release, it appear the meeting will be more of an "open-house", similar to the recent Loop Trolley updates, with displays and people on hand to answer questions and receive feedback. This is meant to fulfill the minimum Federal requirements for public participation in the project.

To-date, just a single rendering and surrounding infrastructure design has been offered by project organizers. The Arch design competition winning design by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates (MVVA) showed a one-block lid with extended "noise mitigation hoods" extending to the north and south. In this design, Memorial Drive remains in place. This retains the existing street grid, making the Arch grounds more accessible and a more integral part of the city.