Missouri’s first design-build project, the New I-64, is well under way now. On Jan. 2, all lanes of Interstate 64/U.S. 40 between Ballas Road and Interstate 170 closed in both directions for the rest of the year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still get around St. Louis.

So far commuters have done a fantastic job at adjusting their routes, which has allowed traffic to flow remarkably well. But drivers traveling to St. Louis must remain vigilant and that starts with knowing what to do before you go. Below are five important things you can tell your neighbors about getting around the New I-64 Project in St. Louis:

• Use alternate routes, preferably interstates 70, 44 and 55 or, when possible, use alternate modes like the bus or MetroLink.
• If you can, avoid traveling in St. Louis from 7-7:30 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. If you have a meeting in St. Louis, schedule it during off-peak hours or use phone or video conferencing options.
• Plan ahead. Check out Map My Trip and getaroundstl.com to plot your route around the construction or to residents and businesses near the construction zone.
• You CAN easily get to downtown St. Louis. Just keep in mind that while you’re in the St. Louis area, you can call 511 to get around-the-clock, real-time traffic information.
• This five-mile stretch of highway will reopen Dec. 31, 2008. Then all lanes between I-170 and Kingshighway Blvd. will close for reconstruction for a year. I-64 will be completely open by January 2010.