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History
I-170 was originally intended to provide an inner beltway within I-270 through St. Louis County extending to I-55 in the southern part of the county, commonly called South County;[2] however, the portion of the route south of I-64/US Route 40 (US 40) was canceled due to local opposition. The portion of MetroLink's Cross County Extension south of I-64 runs roughly along the proposed alignment.[3]
The southern portion of I-170 was built using St. Louis County funds in the 1960s through a shallow valley. It was signed as Route 725.
Recent construction
The southern two interchanges on I-170 (at I-64/US 40 and Galleria Parkway) were reconstructed as part of the first phase of the New I-64 project. Most notably, the new interchange includes direct access to I-170 from eastbound I-64; however, access to Galleria Parkway from northbound I-170 was eliminated. Eager Road access to and from I-170 was also revised in the New I-64 project.[4]
Southern extension
Proposals have been made to extend I-170 south beyond its termination at I-64/US 40, and so connect to I-55, I-270, and I-44, and to towns such as Richmond Heights, Brentwood, Maplewood, and Marlbourough. These towns currently lack direct access to the Interstates, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, South County, and to each other. Many commuters travel on slower surface streets, such as Hanley Road or River Des Peres Boulevard, raising traffic in Shrewsbury and other residential towns.[5] These proposals had been postponed due to lack of funding.[6]
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