ST. LOUIS – There are many signs around Downtown St. Louis that can help drivers navigate onto highways, though there’s at least one cluster of signals that some may find daunting.
At one corner of Fourth Street and Walnut Street near the Old Courthouse, there stands an interstate trailblazer that could lead a driver to seven different parts of an interstate or highway that runs through St. Louis.
The trailblazer is designed for drivers who are heading northbound on Fourth Street before Walnut Street. It points people in the general direction to find exits for Interstates 44, 55, 64 and 70, in addition to U.S. Route 40, which runs concurrent with I-64.
The cluster of signs may come off as intimidating to some. It’s been the source of various Reddit conversations throughout the years, once described as “a blessing and a curse from an urban planning perspective.”
The Missouri Department of Transportation tells FOX 2 that City of St. Louis is responsible for installing and maintaining interstate trailblazers within its boundaries. FOX 2’s efforts to reach the city’s traffic division for comment on this matter were unsuccessful.
Still, if you find yourself approaching the sign confused on where to proceed or without a GPS service, here’s how the signs should be interpreted to navigate to the highways.
I-44 (East)
Proceed north onto Fourth for several more blocks until you reach Convention Plaza. From there, make a quick right, then a quick left to catch the eastbound connection of Interstate 44.
NOTE: You won’t be able to head into the eastbound direction of I-44 for long as the highway subsides into the path of I-70 just north of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.
I-44 (West)
Turn right onto Walnut Street, then quickly make another right onto Memorial Drive for a connection that merges into the westbound lanes of Interstate 44.
I-55 (North)
Turn left onto Walnut Street, then quickly make another left onto South Broadway. From there, continue onto South Broadway past Busch Stadium and make a right onto Gratiot Street. From there, fork right to enter the northbound lanes of Interstate 55.
I-55 (South)
Turn right onto Walnut Street, then quickly make another right onto Memorial Drive for a connection that merges into the southbound lanes of Interstate 55.
NOTE: This briefly shares the same path as I-44 westbound, but you’ll later see highway signs on where to head as the interstates split course.
I-64 (East & West)
Turn left onto Walnut Street, then quickly make another left onto South Broadway. From there, continue onto South Broadway, though you’ll want to pay close attention as you approach the southern end of Busch Stadium.
If you plan to head westbound into other parts of Missouri, take a ramp that curves to the right. If you plan to head eastbound into Illinois, drive past Busch Stadium and make a right onto Gratiot Street. From there, fork right to enter the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64.
NOTE: If you’re heading east, this briefly shares the same path as I-55 northbound, but you’ll later see highway signs on where to head as the interstates split course.
U.S. Route 40 (West)
Follow the same directions as you would for heading onto the westbound lanes of Interstate 64. U.S. Route 40 runs concurrent with I-64 through Wentzville, Missouri.
For a reminder, turn left onto Walnut Street, then quickly make another left onto South Broadway. From there, continue onto South Broadway until you see a ramp that curves right just past the south end of Busch Stadium.
Interstate 70 (East & West)
Proceed north onto Fourth for several more blocks until you reach Convention Plaza. From there, make a quick right, then watch for signs to catch either an eastbound or westbound connection to Interstate 70.
If you plan to head eastbound into Illinois, make a right onto Convention Plaza and stay on the route as it merges with Martin Luther King Bridge. If you plan to head westbound into other parts of Missouri, make a right onto Convention Plaza, then a quick left to catch the westbound connection to Interstate 70.
NOTE: If you’re heading west, this briefly shares the same path as I-44 eastbound, though just continue onto the path as I-44 ends whereas I-70 continues to extend.