Within the past seven months of rebuilding U.S. Highway 40, Saint Louis University commuters have seen old overpasses come down, barricades go up and four lane highways dwindle into congested mess.

All changes are a part of a $535 million interstate reconstruction effort to rebuild 10 miles of Interstate 64/U.S. 40. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s website, the project will be completed by October 2010.

In order to relieve traffic gridlocks in the areas of St. Louis that are most prone to bottleneck-traffic, MoDOT has teamed with Gateway Constructors to rebuild and improve roadways, interchanges and bridges along the 10-mile stretch of Highway 40.

“A goal of the project is to provide a quality product that produces a long-lasting transportation system,” MoDOT Public Information Manager Linda Wilson said.

By the end of the holiday season, motorists should be prepared to use other roadways or public transportation systems. Before morning rush hour on Jan. 2, MoDOT will shut down a five-mile stretch of 40-from Ballas Rd. exit to I-170 exit-for the entire 2008 calendar year. For faculty, staff and commuter students who use I-64/US40 from west of I-170, travel times and routes to the University may become drastically long and difficult.

Ba Huynh, a junior in the Doisy College of Health Sciences, said the closure of the highway will add significant time to his commute.

“The recent construction has already added 10 minutes to my drive. The [highway] closure will only add more [time],” Huynh said.

Other commuter students have already begun to map out their alternate routes.

“I don’t know what I am going to do,” junior Health Information Management major Anna Alexandrov said. “I live in Creve Coeur and have already begun using Interstate 44 to avoid traffic on 40. I have begun to see more and more slow spots on 44.”

MoDOT is doing its best to alleviate what travel issues it can for drivers. Wilson said that the MoDOT’s tool “Map My Trip” can be used to plot alternate routes around the I-64 construction. Much like websites Mapquest and Googlemaps, “Map My Trip” suggests a detour-route based upon the place of departure and destination.

As portions of the highway are shut down, many motorists will be diverted to other local highways, further clogging roads that are already congested.

To relieve crowded roadways, some SLU commuters say that MetroLink has become the best option.

According to MetroLink’s website, the light-rail transit system can carry nearly 3,600 passengers per hour, both eastbound and westbound, during rush-hour times.

The Student Government Association is currently discussing options to assist commuter students.

“SGA realizes the highway closure is going to create major problems. We would like to help alleviate those problems in any way possible,” Arts and Sciences Senator Patrick Devney said.

Deveny, chair of the Civic Affairs Committee, said plans are developing to encourage students to use MetroLink as a means of alternative transportation to school. At this time, members of SGA are in discussion with MetroLink officials to explore the possibility of discounted student Metro passes for SLU students.

“Within the coming year, SGA ought to have a plan of action to assist our commuters in their trek to school,” Deveny said.

Visible changes to I-64/US40 are already appearing. Last month, the northbound interstate-to-interstate connection between I-64 West and I-170 opened to traffic.

For westbound drivers, the fly-by configuration of the new 170 connection will reduce the braking and lane changes near Hanley Road. According to the the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, up to 2,200 cars an hour will use the new ramp during high-volume periods.

“This reconstruction project is a major undertaking,” Gateway Constructors Public Information Manager Dan Galvin said. “It is much more than a resurfacing job. Throughout the project, we will remove and replace 12 highway interchanges and 25 bridges.”

Galvin said the first month of construction would be the most difficult for motorists.

“I encourage drivers to adjust commute times and to get to know other ways to get around town. I understand the frustration of motorists, but we feel the upgraded and more efficient highway will be worth it,” Galvin said.