The St. Louis Regional Freightway has announced its 2025 Priority Projects List, which includes 27 projects with a total investment exceeding $8 billion. As of May 2024, over $500 million in projects have been completed, and nearly $2.3 billion in additional projects are fully funded and underway. This ongoing commitment highlights the region’s dedication to enhancing freight infrastructure in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

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Released on May 15 during the annual Freight Summit at FreightWeekSTL 2024, the Priority Projects List is curated by the Freight Development Committee of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. This committee includes representatives from the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation (IDOT and MoDOT), the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, various transportation modes, the manufacturing and logistics sectors, and academia.     

Among the completed projects are the $222 million replacement of the Merchants Bridge and the $278 million improvement of Interstate 270 from James S. McDonnell Boulevard to Bellefontaine Road. These projects were among the highest priorities since 2016.

Kirk Brown, Region Five Engineer for IDOT, highlighted key projects such as the $496 million Chain of Rocks Bridge and improvements to Illinois Route 3. Tom Evers, Assistant District Engineer for MoDOT, discussed the recently completed I-270 North Project and upcoming projects including the I-70 improvements between Wentzville and Warrenton, slated to start in early 2025.

The largest project on the list is the new terminal at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a $2.8 billion investment. The collaborative efforts between IDOT, MoDOT, and other regional partners are crucial for advancing these projects, according to Mary Lamie, who leads the St. Louis Regional Freightway.

Lamie noted the region’s strong aerospace sector and its significant contributions to the national supply chain. Future investments will also support the region’s top ranking as the most efficient inland port in the nation, enhancing access to barge terminals and industrial parks.

The St. Louis Regional Freightway was established in 2014 by Bi-State Development to support freight movement and infrastructure projects in the region. The Priority Projects List is an annual tool used to advocate for critical infrastructure improvements, reflecting unanimous support from the Freight Development Committee.

For more information and detailed fact sheets on the 2025 Priority Projects, visit freightweekstl.com.  Comments on the list can be submitted by email to MCLamie@TheFreightway.com until August 1.

 Link to List