City’s quick, bumpy fixes on Compton Avenue bridge come ahead of full replacement next summer

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Long-awaited reconstruction of the Compton Avenue bridge is now expected to begin next summer, according to the City of St. Louis.

City officials say they are working with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to secure final approval for the project and anticipate putting it out to bid in December. The estimated cost is $28 million, with about 70% covered by federal grants.

The 114-year-old bridge, which carries Compton Avenue over multiple active rail lines between Midtown and south St. Louis, has been in poor condition for years.

The bridge was partially reconstructed mid-century, emergency repairs were made in 2019, and just last week, drivers and pedestrians noticed roughly 10 new asphalt bumps installed across the span.

While many drivers assume the new installations are speed bumps, judging by how rough the drive feels, the city says they are actually temporary patches covering deteriorated expansion joints that could damage tires if left exposed. A single permanent speed hump was installed earlier this year as a true traffic-calming measure.

Business owner Greg Houston, who runs Diner’s Delight just off Compton, said the patches highlight how badly the bridge needs a full replacement.

“The first time I drove over it, I was like, ‘Whoa, what is this?’ Speed bump after speed bump every five feet, it felt like,” Houston said. “It’s just an old bridge. It’s time for it to go,” Houston said.

The planned project would replace and widen the bridge, and add dedicated space for people walking and biking. Construction was supposed to begin in 2024 after years of planning, but the city says the schedule was pushed back by railroad coordination and right-of-way issues, but the current plan calls for a full closure and demolition of the existing bridge during construction.

The city is currently working with MoDOT on final approval, with bidding expected in December.

People who use the corridor say they are eager to see those changes.

Pedestrian Jaleel McGee told First Alert 4 he wants a wider, cleaner sidewalk so he does not have to duck around overgrown trees and debris while crossing.

“They need to fix it up,” McGee said.

In addition to the bridge work, Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez has requested a traffic study for Compton Avenue from Shenandoah Avenue to Interstate 44, with a goal of improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists along that stretch.

Source link