Plans for the new interchange for Olive Street and I170

By Willa Boisseau

	Have you heard about plans for the new interchange for Olive Street and I170?  You would have heard about them at the last meeting of the Olive Business Association (OBA) on May 13.  Planning by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) was the interesting subject .  Ms. Karen Yeomans, Area Engineer for MODOT in West St. Louis County, told us about the future of Olive Boulevard in University City.
       
	Olive Street Road, or State Route 340,  will be developed in three stages.  The first stage, to be started in the summer of 2003, will include resurfacing west of 270, and should not include U. City.  During 2005 the Olive Street/170 interchange well be rebuilt, and this will be U. City's part of the major construction.  In 2007 plans will be for the resurfacing of Olive Street in the Olivette-U. City area.  This will also be a problem for businesses, but will result in a much more attractive area for our merchants.
       
	Ms. Yeomans said that MODOT plans to spend $18 million  on the completed project.  She knows there will be many questions as the planning and work continue.  She gave these telephone numbers and e-mail contacts for area merchants and residents to contact:
        
Tom Montes de Oca, Project Manager, Telephone: 314-340-4385, E-mail: montet@mail.modot.state.mo.us

Karen Yeomans, Area Engineer, Telephone: 314-340-4356, E-mail: yeomak@mail.modot.state.mo.us

       The City of University City and MODOT will work together to coordinate activities and to assist citizens and merchants with problems.  There will also be traffic signals for pedestrian crossings along Olive Street near 170.

       Willa Boisseau, from the Chinese-American Newspaper, announced Chinese Cultural Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden on May 17 and 18.  She encouraged OBA members and families to attend the colorful and informative programs.

       Mrs. Elsie Glickert introduced two women from the Asian business community.  She used her American name, Christine, for the wife of the architect on Olive Street, and she introduced the proprietress of the Royal Chinese Barbecue, also on Olive Street.  They were welcomed by the group.

       Mr. Bob Wagner, Councilman for the First Ward of University City, told us that the Council has been meeting for work on the budget for the next fiscal year.  It should soon be complete.  He said Walgreen's, at Olive and Hanley, will be open 24 hours a day from now on, and will provide round-the-clock security.  New kiosks, large electronic bulletin boards for announcements of U. City community events and special information, have started to arrive.  One, at the corner of Olive Street and Pennsylvania, has already been installed.  They should be very useful and attractive for the city.