ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - St. Louis County residents learned more on Thursday about a resurfacing and improvements plan slated for a section of Old Halls Ferry Road, extending from New Halls Ferry Road to Vaile Avenue.

Some residents hope the project will help address speeding. Stan Zoellner described the difficulty of turning from his subdivision onto Old Halls Ferry.

“As soon as you think it’s clear, somebody’s on your tail,” he said.

One of the big changes will be reducing the number of traffic lanes from two in each direction to one. Bike lanes and dedicated left turn-lanes are also part of the plan.

^“The amount of traffic on Old Halls Ferry in this area is nowhere near necessary for two lanes in each direction,” said Glenn Henninger, St. Louis County Department of Transportation.

The posted speed limit through that area of Old Halls Ferry is 35 miles per hour.   A one-week traffic study found 140 drivers were traveling at more than 70 miles per hour.

“There was at least one going over 100, and they were in the 130s,” said Henninger.

He said reducing the traffic lanes will help slow traffic.

“We really need to do something to not give them that comfort that the big roads give them, and make them feel a little more constrained,” Henninger said.

Zoellner is skeptical that lane reductions will improve safety or traffic flow.  He’s concerned about having one less lane during wintry weather.

Marilyn Bartley also lives in the affected area.  She attended an informational open house meeting hosted by the St. Louis County Department of Transportation.

“I’ve been listening as they explained, but I’m not really sure if it’s going to solve the problem that we’re facing right now,” she said.

Florissant resident Arianna Hunter likes the idea of dedicated bike lanes.  She believes cycling is beneficial for residents.

“It could be safer for them and encourage them to get outside more,” she said.

Henninger said bike lanes will complement future trail plans in the area.

The project is the result of an analysis that began years ago, as the county studied ways to make streets more accessible for everyone.

Additional aspects of the project include pedestrian signal improvements for accessibility, smart traffic signals to improve emergency vehicle response times, replacement of curb ramps and sidewalks enhancements.

Construction is expected to begin by 2029.  Residents can still share their feedback with project officials before plans are finalized.