By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – The reconstruction of Highway 40 officially began Monday. Political leaders and state transportation officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking this at the 40-170 interchange.
MODOT engineer Ed Hassinger said drivers will see major work in this area first.
"The first few things you'll see are demolition of some of the properties," Hassinger said. "We're going to do some lane reductions on 170. Probably the most spectacular thing that'll happen early, is within weeks, we're going to knock down the Tamm Avenue overpass."
Hassinger said crews will shut down individual lanes as needed this year.
But in 2008, they will close all lanes between 170 and Spoede Rd.
In 2009 the same thing will happen on the eastern half of the project - between 170 and Kingshighway.
MODOT says the $535 million project will be done by July of 2010.