WEST ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR11)—
After several months, the Clayton Avenue Bridge will reopen Thursday morning. It's the last bridge to be completed across the new Interstate 64. The bridge is located right next to Dewey Elementary School in West St. Louis. Students from the school will help cut the ribbon. They will be assisted by Denise Becker of Kirkwood. When Becker was 7 she helped cut the ribbon on the first Clayton overpass 50 years ago.Denise Becker remembers that day well and she even has a newspaper clipping to remember the event so she wont forget when she was chosen, "I overheard them say would you like to chose someone to cut the ribbon on the bridge and she turned and I raised my hand pick me and the rest is photo history."
MODOT officials are concerned that people may be confused by all the newly redesigned interchanges on the reconstructed highway. Officials are video taping what the road looks like as well as the different approaches to exits and on ramps. The video will be posted by Friday on the web. Dan Galvin, spokesperson for Gateway Constructors says, "It's the final structure on the project. Its our last bridge we're getting open now, it's just a milestone and another thing checked off the list."
Meanwhile, crews are busy making final touches to the road. Officials say the new Interstate 64 will reopen early Monday morning no matter what.
