Residents who drive I-44 between Eureka and Valley Park can weigh in on a major road and bridge overhaul before construction plans are locked in.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is holding a free, drop-in open house Tuesday, May 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second floor of The Timbers of Eureka Recreation Center, 1 Coffey Park Lane in Eureka. There will be no formal presentation. Engineers will be on hand to answer questions one-on-one, and attendees can also submit feedback through a survey.

The session covers MoDOT's "Forward 44" project, which targets the I-44 corridor between Route 109 in Eureka and Route 141 in Valley Park. According to MoDOT's project fact sheet, the work includes:

• Removing and replacing deteriorated pavement in the right lane of eastbound I-44
• Replacing the I-44 bridges at Williams Creek, just west of Route 141
• Rehabilitating bridges over Route 109, Route 141, and Fox Creek
• Rebuilding the interstate median barrier to current safety standards
• Adding safety upgrades at Antire Hill, where the steep curve is a known trouble spot in wet and winter weather

The Antire Hill improvements alone include flashing chevrons with retroreflective strips, a flashing curve warning sign for trucks, better road surface grip treatment, and modified lane striping, according to MoDOT planning documents.

This is the only scheduled public input opportunity before MoDOT selects a contractor later this year. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with the heaviest impacts expected through 2028 and completion activities stretching into 2029.

The City of Valley Park has also posted the open house on its official news page, since the project runs through both communities.

Ryan Pearcy, MoDOT's area engineer for South/West St. Louis County, is the project contact. Residents who can't attend Tuesday can reach the project team at SLForward44East@modot.mo.gov or 314-453-5086.