- Interstate 44 through downtown St. Louis has reopened after a massive sinkhole shut down a busy stretch for nearly two weeks.
- MoDOT confirmed that I-44 has reopened in both directions between the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Poplar Street Bridge as of Friday afternoon.
- The massive sinkhole formed beneath the Interstate on June 13 due to significant water main breaks.
- Crews initially estimated the highway would reopen on June 29, but repairs finished ahead of schedule, allowing for the reopening.
- As of Friday, the sinkhole is nearly filled back up, and officials confirmed the reopening of Interstate 44.
- A 30-foot-wide collapse occurred in downtown St. Louis nearly two weeks ago, prompting extensive repairs.
- The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and other agencies have been working to secure the area and develop a repair plan.
- The sewer under I-44 where the cave-in occurred received the highest rating on the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District’s inspection a few years ago.
Interstate 44 in downtown St. Louis has reopened after nearly two weeks of repairs following a 30-foot-wide cave-in caused by significant water main breaks. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) confirmed the reopening on Friday, with both lanes now accessible between the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Poplar Street Bridge.12
The sinkhole formed on June 13, prompting immediate action from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) and other agencies to stabilize the area. Crews initially estimated the highway would reopen on June 29, but repairs were completed ahead of schedule. “The priority right now, and still is, getting that site safe,” said Bess McCoy, manager of public affairs for MSD.578
The repairs involved pumping a cement-like material to stabilize the area, although MSD noted that the 10-by-12-foot sewer affected is currently out of service, reducing capacity to handle rainfall. “Filling the hole is a necessary temporary step rather than a long-term solution,” McCoy added, emphasizing the need for a more resilient underground infrastructure in the future.
Despite the reopening, MSD is urging residents to prepare for potential flooding, advising them to move valuables out of basements as heavy rains could lead to backups.
The interstate closure had significant impacts on traffic, but the swift response and repair efforts have allowed for a quicker-than-expected reopening.
“Interstate 44 has reopened in downtown St. Louis after nearly two weeks of repairs due to a massive sinkhole. The reopening comes ahead of schedule, with officials expressing optimism about the infrastructure's stability.”
STLPR
First Alert 4
