An Overview

The Hanley Road Corridor Study was undertaken to comprehensively assess the current and future needs of the Hanley Road Corridor from the I-64 interchange south to Laclede Station Road. Recent and planned development, the future Cross-County MetroLink extension, and the eventual improvements to I-64 are all expected to alter the function and demand placed on Hanley Road in this area.

The Hanley Road Corridor Steering Committee was formed in the fall of 2002 to overcome the jurisdictional barriers inherent to the complexity of such a study, as well as to address the unique needs of each community along the Study Corridor. The Committee is composed of the Cities of Brentwood, Maplewood and Richmond Heights along with St. Louis County.

Based on these facts, the primary mission of the Study has been defined as follows:

"The Hanley Road Corridor Steering Committee will provide a transportation corridor improvement plan from I-64 to Laclede Station Road that comprehensively addresses current and future transportation needs of the local and regional community, supporting economic growth, minimizing residential impacts and enhancing the quality of life in the cities of Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, and St. Louis County".

- Hanley Road Corridor Steering Committee

The primary goals and objectives for the Hanley Road Corridor as established by the Steering Committee were....

Goal 1 - Strategies will be developed that can move to design by completion of the study.

• Concept plan approved by Steering Committee
• Vision of future corridor documented
• Implementation plan approved

Goal 2 - The roadway will provide traffic movement through the corridor achieving at least a LOS D at signalized intersections.

• Increased capacity of roadway
• Improved and efficient access to roadway

Goal 3 - Creative alternatives to address access and capacity issues on Hanley will be developed.

• Alternative solutions developed in addition to geometric improvements
• Demand management and access management techniques developed for implementation

Goal 4 - Safe pedestrian access across and along the corridor will be included in proposed roadway improvements.

• Traffic calming implemented
• Aesthetic treatments implemented
• Safe crossings provided for Hanley Road
• Sidewalks along Hanley Road included in plan

Goal 5 - Improve the streetscape of Hanley Road

• Create consistent look to corridor implemented from city to city
• Contest sensitive design plans for roadway prepared

Goal 6- Improve the safety of pedestrian and vehicular access to the corridor

• St. Louis County Design Standards maintained in concept plan

Alternatives were developed for the North section of Hanley Road (Bruno to I-64) and South section of Hanley Road (at Manchester Road). Three through lanes in each direction are planned between these two sections by the development that is currently in progress including the new MetroLink Bridge over Hanley Road. The alternatives were evaluated using criteria developed from the goals and objectives agreed to by the Steering Committee. Meetings with stakeholders were held to make sure that all realistic and viable alternatives were considered and informed consent attained for the alternatives to be designed.

We are currently in the contract execution stage of the process with Burns and McDonnell, who is the prime engineering firm hired to design the improvements. The Steering Committee continues to work together to address existing and future development issues, the potential impact on regional transportation issues, and to identify a funding plan to implement the project.

The study concluded in May of 2004 with a final report recommending alternatives N7 and S2.

A roundtable discussion will occur during each stage of the planning process to agree on information used and decisions made. Also, all relative issues are noted, discussed and addressed prior to moving forward through each part of the planning process. This process will be carried out with the Steering Committee as well as the key stakeholder group.

We are actively pursuing consultant services to proceed into the design phase of phase 1 of the project which is the south portion between Hanley Industrial and Laclede Station Road. We are in the final execution stage of the contract process with our prime design firm, Burns and McDonnell. We expect to give them NTP in January 2007.

As an affected interest in the study area, your input is important to the success of the study and, ultimately, of the project. Your comments, in writing or by telephone to your Steering Committee representative throughout the planning stages will be included in the process of selecting a preferred alternative and implementation strategy.