Judge considers St. Louis man’s effort to halt I-64 closure

ST. LOUIS — A federal judge is expected to rule by Friday in a lawsuit aimed at stopping the closure of Interstate 64 in St. Louis.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh heard arguments Wednesday in the case filed by former St. Louis school board member Bill Haas. During the hearing, Haas acted as his own attorney and questioned a Missouri Department of Transportation project supervisor about whether the agency adequately considered the economic impact or the safety implications of the shutdown.

MoDOT plans to close a stretch of the interstate from Ballas Road to Interstate 170 for up to a year starting Wednesday. Another stretch will close for most or all of 2009.

MoDOT officials say a delay would cost up to $600,000 each day.