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Previous story: More commuters consider carpooling as I-64/40 shutdown looms

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Photos of St. Louis as it prepares for Hwy. 40 shutdown

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Why must Highway 40 be shutdown?

(KMOV) – Mo-DOT is pushing for carpooling and building new lots because the old ones are jam packed.

This is a sign that more people than ever are sharing the ride, but all those do gooders might have to hit the brakes if they're looking for carpool lanes once they hit the highway.

Mo-DOT officials say they got all revved up about carpool lanes after visiting cities like Denver, but the idea stalled when they pitched it to lawmakers in Jefferson City.

Motorists say they're tired of coming home to a crawl after sailing thru high occupancy lanes in other cities.

The state representative in charge of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, Neal St. Onge tells News 4 that he's worked there for four years and has never heard a pitch for carpool lanes. 

At the same time he says the research he's done shows that there is not a long enough stretch of highway to make a high occupancy lane effective. 

Mo-DOT is also pushing for schools to begin carpooling, especially private schools because they typically do not have bus service.

Leave early and be patient

Of course there are no problems this morning (1/2/08)--a lot of people are still on vacation, and a lot of schools are not in session. Let's not get too excited about the lack of traffic problems just yet.

Instead of 64/40, try taking Page east to Kingshighway. Sure, there are lots of 4 way stops but not much traffic.

Share your shortcut tips in our 64/40 detour forum