Wentzville Parkway/Pearce Boulevard Construction to Begin in March

Construction crews will begin working on the Wentzville Parkway/Pearce Boulevard intersection by mid-March in hopes of completing the project in time for the new Sam's Club opening in late-October, officials say.

The city plans to spend $1.8 million to improve the intersection, which is already one of the most trafficked in and gets congested at peak driving times. Add in the and a developing hotel, which is , and the area could become a huge traffic snarl for a majority of the day.

said additional left turn lanes will be added to all four legs of the intersection and two new right turn lanes will be added to the east and west ends of Pearce Boulevard.

If all goes to plan, construction would be complete by November, Smiths said.

"It's really a proactive attempt (at helping relieve traffic)," Smith said. "Who knows what other developments might come along near the area. We want to be prepared for when that time comes."

The project also includes new traffic signals, which will be synchronized with the rest of Wentzville Parkway, and reloacitn some of the existing lighting along the parkway as well.

Smith warned of possible traffic delays during construction, which will likely last the entire summer. 

Church Street Improvements to Begin at the Same Time

The city also plans to improve and reconstruct Church Street between Wagoner Street and Main Street during the same time period.

Crews will begin widening the road in mid-March to make it three-lanes—one lane each way with a middle turn lane. The city will also add new curbs, gutters and a new enclosed stormwater system.

Smith said adding new ornamental lighting, planters, stamped crosswalks and ornamental benches and trash cans will also be added in efforts to make the Church Street entrance to the city more visibly-friendly. 

Both construction projects are being contracted by the St. Louis-based NB West Construction Company.