VIDEO: Heavy Rain Causing Traffic Problems on Manchester Road in West County

Crews are on the scene directing traffic after the heavy rain caused flooding on Manchester Road, just west of I-270.

This video shot by Patch Senior Local Editor Gregg Palermo shows the scene on Manchester Road early Thursday afternoon. Some lanes are closed and crews on the scene are directing traffic after the heavy rain caused flooding on westbound Manchester Road just west of Interstate 270. The video was shot near Barrett Station Road, near both Town and Country and Des Peres.

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Traffic Alert: Lanes Closing on I-270 Next Week

Missouri Department of Transportation reports on the St. Louis work zones for March 14 - 20.

(For instant news updates follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter.) Up to two lanes will be closed on southbound Interstate 270 overnight Monday through Wednesday between Manchester Road and I-44 as part of a widening project. Overnight closures of various ramps and lanes will occur on the Poplar Street Bridge in downtown St. Louis Sunday through Wednesday evening. Two entrance ramps to I-70 from Mid Rivers Mall Drive will close beginning Monday, March 18, weather permitting. The loop ramp from northbound Mid Rivers Mall Drive to westbound I-70, and the loop ramp from southbound Mid Rivers Mall Drive to eastbound I-70 will close. Motorists should be aware of the following on-going closures:

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Monument Design Gets Go-Ahead in Des Peres

The Des Peres Board of Aldermen reportedly approved a contract to design a monument and landscaping near West County Shopping Center.

(For instant news updates follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter.) According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Des Peres Board of Aldermen approved the contract last week to design the monument and landscaping at the southwest corner of Manchester and Ballas roads near West County Shopping Center. The article states that the original landscaping placed in that area did not achieve the "desired results," so this new design will focus on creating more of a "park-like" look. According to the Post, the contract for the design was approved for up to $58,500 and will be paid for with funds that the city reserved as part of the Manchester/Ballas Tax Increment Financing District for West County Center. (Read complete St. Louis Post-Dispatch …

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Manchester Road Lanes Closed at Mason This Weekend

MoDOT is closing lanes on Manchester Road at Mason Road this weekend so crews can make "urgent" pavement repairs. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the lane closures begin at 9 p.m. Friday. In a news release, MoDOT stated that it will close the westbound right lane on Manchester Road to Mason Road for "urgent pavement repairs." In addition, the eastbound left turn lane on Manchester Road to Mason Road will close Friday at 9 p.m. and remain closed until until 5 a.m., Monday.  MoDOT Spokesperson Kara Price tells Patch, drivers will not be able to turn onto Mason Road from Manchester Road and no southbound Mason Road traffic will be able to access Manchester Road. Manchester Road will still be open to traffic and all through lanes on Manchester Road will remain open. However, the closures will affect traffic and drivers are urged to…

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Driver Faces Assault Charge in Wrong-Way DWI Crash

Officers said the man was driving drunk and headed the wrong way on eastbound Manchester Road when he caused the collision.

A man who caused a collision by driving the wrong way on eastbound Manchester Road was charged Wednesday with second-degree assault in the crash. Des Peres Public Safety officers said that Thomas Lazear, 33, of the 9200 block of Leith Avenue in Woodson Terrace, was drunk when he drove the wrong way near 13384 Manchester Road in Des Peres and collided with another car. A blood test after the accident showed he had a 0.174 percent blood-alcohol content on May 28, police said. The driver in the other car suffered a broken collarbone in the collision. Bond for Lazear was set at $50,000. For more crime information on Kirkwood Patch, see the following articles:

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News Nearby: Request for Electronic Message Board on Manchester Comes Under Scrutiny

Owners of the new U-Gas at Manchester and McKnight are asking the City of Rock Hill for a variance that would allow them to place digital sign on the property. Some motorists say the signs are a distraction.

Residents Inspect I-270 Expansion Project

MoDOT officials answered residents' questions about an Interstate 270 widening project during a public meeting Monday.

Residents turned out to The Lodge Des Peres Monday evening for a public meeting to learn more about an $11.6 million construction project that will widen Interstate 270 in an effort to relieve congestion at a St. Louis County traffic hotspot. The project, headed by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will narrow existing lanes from 12 to 11 feet to add an additional northbound through-lane between Interstate 44 and Manchester Road and an additional southbound through-lane between Dougherty Ferry Road and Interstate 44. Contractors can begin work on the project in April and the project must end by December 2013. The segment of highway carries 160,000 vehicles per day, according to Project Manager Thomas Evers with MoDOT. “The …

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Kirkwood Gives Preliminary OK to Mobil Station Expansion

The plan would put a Mobil on the Run at the corner of Manchester and North Geyer and allow an expansion to adjacent lots. Some residents have opposed the plan.

The city council approved on first reading a resolution approving a special-use exception permit for the Mobil gas station at the corner of Manchester and North Geyer roads. The permit would allow the gas station to expand to adjacent lots. The proposed expansion calls for the demolition of business space at 1136-1150 Manchester Road and an extension of the station to Simmons Avenue. The current convenience store would be demolished and a Mobil on the Run would be built on the property. At the meeting, several residents urged the council to vote against the expansion, arguing the expansion would increase noise, traffic, and would decrease property values.  “Kirkwood is a city of charm,” said Kirkwood Resident Diane Dooley, who lives nearby…

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No Sound Walls for Some Kirkwood, Des Peres Neighborhoods

MoDOT will talk about sound studies conducted as part of expanding Interstate 270 Wednesday at the The Lodge of Des Peres.

The state is gearing up to expand Interstate 270 to alleviate rush-hour traffic congestion between Manchester Road and Interstate 44. And while some Des Peres and Kirkwood residents along the corridor may get a sound wall to help reduce traffic noise, others will not. The additional lanes are needed because of significant backups on the highway during morning and evening commutes, said Kristy Yates, area engineer for MoDOT. The plan calls for an additional southbound lane from Dougherty Ferry Road to Interstate 44 and a new northbound lane from I-44 to Manchester Road. Work on the $12-million project is not expected to begin until spring. But officials have already conducted studies of 16 areas along the corridor to determine whether sound…

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Baskin-Robbins Kicks Off Ice Cream Season with Sweet Deal

Popular creamery to offer 31-cent scoops of ice cream on Wednesday night.

The Rock Hill Baskin-Robbins is rolling back the price of a single scoop of ice cream to 31 cents on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Each customer can receive up to three scoops at the special price. The deal is part of a company-wide promotion to kick off ice cream season and to thank loyal customers. The company’s annual 31-Cent Scoop Night also pays tribute to firefighters and benefits the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The foundation honors fallen firefighters and provides assistance to their families. Additionally, the organization provides firefighters with training and offers the public information on fire prevention.  As part of the event, the Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will donate $100,000 to the …

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