Pope routes announced

Pope Routes Announced

The St. Louis Police and the St. Louis Archdiocese have announced Pope Routes and Road Closings for January 26 and 27. The police have requested no traffic on these routes from with the exception from residents, who must possess identifaction in order to enter these certain Pope Routes. There will be no parking throughout much of downtown St. Louis, as the police chief has requested no parking from "curb-to-curb". These restrictions may also affect parking garages.

These following route closures will be in effect during the Pope Visit. So if you must work, please plan accordingly. For a detailed explanation, view the Postnet map and go to the Archdiocese traffic site.

January 26 and 27 (both days)

Lindell Blvd. between Washington University and Olive St.
Taylor Road within 1 mile of the Archbishop's house at Lindell and Taylor.
All nearby surrounding streets within 1 mile of the Archbishop's house.

January 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Olive Street from Lindell past SLU to just east of Tucker
All streets east of 16th St, north of Choateau (just south of Highway 40), west of 3rd Street, and south of Cole. (All nearby streets will have "no parking" restrictions.)

January 26 from around noon to before afternoon rush hour (these routes, though in doubt in which one will be taken by the Pope, are ones that commutters should avoid on January 26 during the afternoon hours.

Interstate 70 around the airport
Interstate 170 from I-70 to the Washington University Exit or I-70 from the airport to an exit that takes traffic to Washington University.

January 27 from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All streets near and around the TWA Dome, including Cole, Biddel, and Broadway. Most of the streets affected are west of I-70.
All I-70 exits leading to the TWA Dome and certain downtown exits.
Eastbound MLK Bridge. Westbound MLK Bridge will be directed to enter westbound I-70.

January 27 in the late-morning/early afternoon hours (these restrictions should last until right after the Pope takes off from Lambert Airport, but please plan routes to avoid these areas as traffic jams can occur)

I-70 from the TWA Dome to Lindbergh
Surrounding streets may be affected, possibly including I-170.

What if you have to work in Downtown St. Louis on the 26th and 27th?

If you cannot take a Pope Appreciation Day from work, use public transit. Bi State will operate bus routes on both days, though delays due to congestion is possible. MetroLink is the best choice, as trains will be running around every 6-7 1/2 minutes during the Papal Visit. (View the list from postnet for more details.)

Or if that is not possible, be prepared to carry good walking shoes (even if it is against work dress codes) for the potential long walk and dress accordingly to the weather because parking will not be allowed in downtown St. Louis and streets near the Pope Routes on both days.

Other transit agencies near St. Louis may have their plans to deal with the papal visit, so contact them for more details. The St. Louis Archdiocese will also run busses to carry people in and out of papal events from certain locations.

If you do not work in Downtown St. Louis but must rely on taking I-70 and/or I-170 inside the 270 loop, plan to arrive to work early and leave late, or take alternate routes if possible. Either way, allow tons of patience while driving.

Several exits from Highway 40, I-70, and maybe I-44/55 will be closed at times during the events even though which ones that will be closed have not been announced.