ST. LOUIS — Part of Interstate 55 in south St. Louis will be reduced to one lane due to concerns about flash flooding in the area.
In a press release, MoDOT said one lane of northbound I-55 will be closed between Bayless Avenue and Virginia Avenue starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday. That area is part of an ongoing construction project, so traffic will be down to one lane.
The release said the Webber Road ramp to northbound I-55 may also be closed.
MoDOT said the closure is due to forecasted heavy rain that could cause flash flooding in the area.
"Depending on the duration of the inclement weather, both the right lane and ramp closure could remain in effect through the Friday morning commute," according to the release.
During heavy rains in May of last year, flash flooding closed both directions of the highway in this area. Cars were stuck in the water near the Loughborough exit until the floodwaters could recede.
The heavy, long-lasting rain will hit tonight. Due to the slow-moving nature of this system, there is a higher potential for flooding tonight into Friday night throughout the region.
A nearly stationary boundary settles south of St. Louis tonight. A training line of showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop. These slow-moving thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall through the night. The axis of heaviest rain will shift a little farther south of St. Louis on Friday.
A flood watch has been issued for Thursday night into Friday night for much of southern and southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois.
Download the free 5 On Your Side app to get the latest watches and warnings and track conditions live with our interactive radar. Use the links below to download now.
