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Some Fear Hanley Work Will Lead To I-170 Extension

Webster Groves officials are closely watching the fate of a Transportation Development District (TDD) along Hanley Road from I-64 south to beyond Manchester Road. Some fear it will open the door to an I-170 cross-town extension through Webster.

The TDD would provide a finance mechanism for a "flyover," which would allow South Hanley Road to flow above Manchester Road with an overpass. The flyover roadway would be similar to the overpass that puts Highway 141 traffic over Manchester Road west of Des Peres.

"This kind of overpass is on a scale that's not really appropriate and has to be of concern to Webster residents for what the future plans are," said Jeanne Kirkton with the Webster Groves City Council. "We have invited Garry Earls of St. Louis County to come to Webster and lay out what those future plans are."

Earlier this month, the St. Louis County Council passed a resolution demonstrating its support for the creation of the TDD along Hanley Road from I-64 south to beyond Manchester Road. The resolution passed without the support of 5th District Councilwoman Barbara Fraser.

"I cannot support a project that will so greatly impact our region and constituents while increasing sales tax without a vote of the people and in which the details for cost and design have not been made public," said Fraser, who represents Webster Groves and the area included in the proposed TDD.

Garry Earls, St. Louis County's chief operating officer, has indicated the project will cost upwards of $46 million. The TDD will pay for less than 15 percent of the total cost. Fraser said it is unclear how the remainder of the project will be funded.

"The future plan for Laclede Station Road after the flyover is built is not on paper," said Fraser. "We don't know if it would lead to an I-170 extension, but questions about that possibility should be asked at every public meeting where this project comes up."

Fraser and other critics of the flyover proposal have been asking questions at public meetings, such as the Maplewood City Council meeting this past Tuesday night. All relevant councils in affected communities need to approve resolutions before a petition for creation of the TDD can be brought to the circuit court.

Brentwood, Richmond Heights and St. Louis County have all approved resolutions. Maplewood city officials tabled the matter Tuesday, and moved the TDD issue to their Feb. 12 council agenda.

Ann Mack, executive director of Trailnet and a Webster Groves resident, spoke out against the TDD at the recent Maplewood meeting. She said an "I-141-type overpass is neither neighborhood, nor pedestrian friendly" and she called it out of scale for an inner-ring suburb.

"We see the need for something more akin to an urban parkway that would connect to I-44," said Mack. "But we are concerned that this overpass opens the real possibility of an I-170 extension bisecting the area and impacting our neighborhoods.

"We are concerned we are not being told the whole story about this project and where it leads," added Mack. "I am a Webster resident and I want to see the whole plan, and I want to see plenty of public input on what is being planned."

According to Fraser, Hanley neighborhoods don't need or want an interstate-type overpass with little consideration for people who are not in cars. She said best practices across the country are successfully moving people and cars, while also bringing economic development to those communities choosing to design for all users.

Providing access for people to and from MetroLink stations is another concern related to the design of the overpass, Fraser said.

"As a region we just invested millions of dollars on a light rail system along this Hanley Road corridor," said Fraser. "As a County Council we should support the construction of roads that encourage people to get off the train and walk or ride to shopping, work and home.

"I agree with East West Gateway's Legacy 2030," Fraser added. "The St. Louis region needs a transportation plan that provides choices to people, choices which are safe, convenient, efficient and accessible for all users. Roadways without these options put people at risk."

Fraser said she is pleased that Webster officials are asking the county to come to a public meeting to explain what the overpass could mean for the future of their city and surrounding communities.

"I absolutely encourage Webster residents to attend such a meeting and to find out now what is going on," Fraser said.

A county proposal in the 1980s to widen Elm Avenue in Webster Groves to facilitate traffic flow from Clayton to I-44 raised a furor. That proposal was ultimately rejected.