Construction to close one northbound lane of Kingshighway Aug. 12

Medical Center employees urged to find alternate routes

On Aug. 12, a northbound lane of Kingshighway Boulevard and the adjoining sidewalk north of Children’s Place will close in preparation for demolition related to revitalization of Washington University Medical Center’s north campus. At the same time, barriers will go up around the former Jewish College of Nursing and the Kingshighway, Yalem and Steinberg buildings — all of which will come down as part of the first phase of the Campus Renewal Project.

“These changes are among the first visible signs of the project,” said Cary Cantwell, campus renewal construction manager. “Interior demolition of each building is underway. Exterior demolition will start as interior demolition is completed.”

Cordoning off the area ensures the safety of those outside the site and will accommodate the movement of construction vehicles.

The sidewalk on Kingshighway will close north of Children’s Place to Forest Park Avenue. The pedestrian detour will be on the west side of Kingshighway between Children’s Place and the sidewalk on the north side of Forest Park Avenue.

The lane of northbound Kingshighway will close for the duration of the demolition and construction. Vehicles will continue to have access to Parkview Place from Kingshighway. The St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) ambulance exit will remain open.

“Employees are strongly encouraged to avoid Kingshighway to reduce the congestion for patients and visitors, as well as to ensure that emergency vehicles have immediate access to the hospitals,” Cantwell said. “We realize that two I-64 overpasses are out of service right now, which poses some challenges. However, finding a new route is something employees can do that will have a big and positive impact on the experience of our patients and visitors.”

Sidewalks on both sides of Parkview will close from Kingshighway to just east of the Yalem building. Parkview will remain open to two-way vehicular traffic. The SLCH subsurface garage off Parkview Place will close Aug. 5.

The Campus Renewal Project is a long-term project to renew the medical center campus on Kingshighway Boulevard, encompassing BJC’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, along with the School of Medicine.