Forsyth Closure Planned to Begin May 22

A section of Forsyth Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Big Bend Boulevard to Skinker Boulevard for most of the summer as a pedestrian underpass is built beneath the road near Olympian Way.

The and are collaborating on the project, which is expected to cost approximately $2.1 million. The city obtained a federal grant for the project worth $772,000, and the school has agreed to cover the remaining costs.

"This has been a good cooperative effort with city staff and Washington University," said Arthur Ackermann, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and management, in an April 24 presentation to the Clayton Board of Aldermen.

Work on the project will be performed by Maryland Heights-based Fred Weber and include:

• Bridge construction
• Curve and pavement replacement along Olympian Way
• Pavement reconstruction
• Retaining wall construction
• Building of paths and sidewalks
• Drainage upgrades
• Utility relocations
• Striping
• Landscaping

A bike path that runs from Skinker Boulevard to Wallace Drive will be extended to the underpass in conjunction with the project, Ackermann said. It's hoped that the path can be extended to Big Bend Boulevard in the future.

The affected section of Forsyth will close May 22 and remain shut through mid-August, Clayton project manager Steve Meyer said. Electronic signs were to be set up starting last week to alert people to the upcoming closure. 

Drivers will be instructed to take a detour using Forest Park Parkway. Additionally, officials have been communicating with neighbors in Clayton and using mailings and the city's newsletter.

Several aldermen expressed concern that Wydown Boulevard might experience an increase in traffic that is diverted from Forysth. Clayton's Ward 1 Alderman Andrea Maddox-Dallas asked whether there are plans for mitigating risks that might create.

Clayton public works director Mike Pratt said the summer timing of the work will accommodate the university's student population and result in less traffic through the city.

"It's unfortunate that we have to close the road, but I don't know how you replace a bridge without doing that," Pratt said.

Maddox-Dallas said Chief Tom Byrne of the might consider additional patrols of the area because of past issues such as cars traveling into bike lanes. 

Updates about the project will be posted to claytonmo.gov/underpass, and any questions should be directed to Meyer, Clayton's project manager. He can be reached by calling 314-290-8540 or emailing smeyer@ci.clayton.mo.us.