Construction begins on new parking lot/entrance to St. Louis Science Center

The St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis University High School (SLUH) are working together on a construction project to improve both the traffic flow along Oakland Avenue and the entrances to both institutions. Work begins Mon., Aug. 18, and is expected to continue through late October. The Science Center remains open during the construction. 

The jointly funded project will create a new boulevard between the two institutions, running from Oakland to Berthold avenues. This will more quickly funnel traffic off Oakland, eliminating backups that occur at various times. A three-way stop sign will be added at this new boulevard to improve pedestrian safety and better regulate traffic flow. The project also will reconfigure the Science Center's main parking lot. 

Both the Science Center and SLUH have been seeking alternatives to improve traffic flow. The arrival of SLUH students in the morning and their departure in the afternoon causes traffic slowdowns. On high attendance days, especially weekends, Science Center visitors often are backed up along Oakland waiting to enter the main lot. 

Once the project is complete, Science Center visitors will access the main lot off Berthold, not Oakland. Visitors will access the drop-off/pickup circle in front of the main building from the new boulevard, not Oakland. During construction, visitors will be directed to available parking. 

This improvement project is one of the first physical changes being made to the Science Center through the current fundraising campaign, Transform Tomorrow: The Campaign for Science Education. The $37 million campaign will enable the Science Center to upgrade its physical plant, add new exhibit areas and develop many new programs. If the Science Center reaches $35,750,000 by the campaign's close on Dec. 31, 2003, James S. and John F. McDonnell will "cap" the campaign with a $1,250,000 gift. The Science Center currently has raised $33 million.