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Webster Groves outlines five-month Elm culvert replacement and detour plan
Summary
Public works staff told the council the Elm culvert replacement will require a full intersection closure beginning July 20, use a local detour via Newport/Bonpart/Lockwood, is expected to last about five months and aims to increase culvert capacity while minimizing regional disruption.
The Webster Groves City Council received a detailed update on July 7 from the director of public works on the Elm culvert replacement project, which will require a full closure of the Elm intersection and a five-month construction window starting July 20.
"When this project occurs, we need to completely close that intersection in order to build this structure," the director said, describing the replacement of a deteriorated corrugated metal culvert with a reinforced-concrete, three-chamber rectangular culvert to increase flow capacity under the roadway. The culvert carries Shady Grove Creek and the intersection currently carries about 15,000 vehicles daily, staff said.
Local detour routing is planned to use Newport Avenue from South Brentwood to Bonpart Avenue, Bonpart to Lockwood and Lockwood back to South Elm Avenue. City staff noted Newport's current cross-section and parking will limit two-way traffic with parked cars and that the plan includes removing a double-yellow center stripe on a segment of Newport to allow two-way flow; temporary parking restrictions on one side of the street may be needed if operation becomes unsafe.
Staff outlined sequencing: about 1.5 months for removal and sanitary sewer work under the culvert, 2.5 months for forming and pouring the on-site concrete culvert, then channel bed work and reconnection of storm sewers, with an estimated mid-December completion. The director said the city will use multiple communication channels — message boards, social media, flyers and a media day — to notify affected residents and regional motorists.
Council members raised questions about notifying Newport Avenue residents, enforcement of parking and a plan B for communication; staff committed to door-knock notifications in affected blocks, mobile message boards on key approaches and a scheduled media briefing for regional outlets.
Next steps: staff will finalize detour signage and communication materials and brief council before the July 20 start date so residents and regional motorists can plan alternate routes.
