Clarkson Road has a higher crash rate than comparable state corridors, according to MoDOT — though the agency has not released specific numbers — and it is now pairing a repaving of deteriorating pavement with safety fixes aimed at cutting down the rear-end collisions that clog the road during rush hour.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to resurface Route 340 (Clarkson Road) between Lea Oak and Route 100 (Manchester Road) in 2027 and rebuild or upgrade several traffic signals along the corridor. Beyond that baseline work, the agency is considering additional safety improvements, including redesigned right-turn lanes — one option engineers presented at an April 14 open house at Clarkson Valley City Hall.

MoDOT's fact sheet for the project describes the safety picture: rear-end collisions are the most common crash type on this stretch. The agency said those crashes "can significantly impact corridor flow during congested periods and can tie up municipal emergency response partners." MoDOT also flagged speeding and aggressive driving along the corridor.

After hearing public concerns about safety, MoDOT committed to evaluating whether additional improvements could be folded into the 2027 project or scheduled separately.

What construction will look like

Signal work will happen during the day but outside peak travel times to limit backups. Resurfacing will mostly take place at night, with one lane closed in each direction — but at least one lane will remain open both ways. Residents living near the corridor should expect nighttime noise during paving.

Comment deadline: April 28

Residents who missed the open house can review project materials and submit feedback at MoDOT's project page. Comments are due by Thursday, April 28. MoDOT's St. Louis District media contact is Andrew Gates at (314) 223-8003.