I-64 closure to start early

ST. LOUIS — The yearlong shutdown of a stretch of Interstate 64 in St. Louis is going to start a little early.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced the change Friday. The Transportation Department now plans to close I-64 from Interstate 170 east to Kingshighway starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

The roadway was originally to close Sunday. But with rain in the forecast for Saturday night, Transportation Department officials say the early closure is necessary to get striping work done before the pavement turns wet.

The Transportation Department is spending about $535 million to rebuild an approximately 8-mile stretch of I-64 over two years. Since January, a 4-mile stretch has been closed from Interstate 270 east to I-170. That section reopens Monday — about two weeks ahead of schedule.