The Gateway Arch is one of America’s most iconic landmarks — yet for decades, the I-44 “Arch Connector” freeway has severed downtown St. Louis from its riverfront. This short stretch of highway is redundant, noisy, and destructive. It carries far less traffic than our other interstates, but it leaves behind a trench, an elevated viaduct, and an at-grade barrier that cut through the heart of our city.

We can do better. By filling the trench and replacing the connector with a two-way 4th Street Boulevard, we can reconnect downtown, reduce noise at the Arch grounds, and open up new land for people, parks, and businesses.

 
The Problem
Barrier to the Arch: The depressed trench between Walnut and Pine cuts downtown off from its national park. Visitors face traffic noise of 70–80 dB instead of a peaceful park experience.
Redundant Highway: The connector carries ~57,000 vehicles/day — less than half of I-64 or I-270 — and most traffic can easily reroute to existing interstates.
Lost Land & Opportunity: Dozens of acres of prime downtown land are locked under pavement and ramps, generating zero tax revenue.
Undermines Prior Investment: The city spent $380M on the CityArchRiver project to reconnect the Arch to downtown — but the trench still undercuts that effort.
 
The Solution
Phase 1: Convert 4th Street into a Two-Way Boulevard

Quick-build restriping, bike lanes where parking exists today, signal changes.
Cost: $2–3M, Timeline: under 1 year.
Phase 2: Fill the I-44 Trench (Walnut → Pine)

Remove the freeway ditch. Replace with green space and pedestrian connections.
Cost: $18–23M, Timeline: 2–3 years.
Phase 3: Remove At-Grade Section (I-64 Interchange → Walnut)

Remove surface highway and ramps at the south end.
Reconnect Spruce, and Poplar to the grid.
Open land near the interchange for mixed-use development.
Cost: $15–20M.
Phase 4: Remove Elevated Section (Pine → I-70 Merge)

Take down the 1.1-mile viaduct north of downtown.
Unlock 40+ acres near the Convention Center and Laclede’s Landing.
Enable new housing, retail, and civic development.
Cost: $65–95M.
 
The Benefits
Tourism: A quieter, safer, greener Arch grounds experience.
Economy: Billions in redevelopment potential along 4th Street and freed parcels.
Equity: Repairs damage from mid-century highways that divided neighborhoods.
Livability: Safer walking, biking, transit, and driving in downtown.
Efficiency: Removes a redundant highway, saving MoDOT long-term maintenance costs.
 
Our Ask
We urge the City of St. Louis, MoDOT, and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to:

Commit to a feasibility study of the I-44 Arch Connector removal.
Use Rams settlement funds and federal Reconnecting Communities grants to launch Phase 1 immediately.
Deliver a downtown that is for people, not just for cars.
 
Closing Call to Action
Let’s turn the page on a mid-century mistake and create a St. Louis that connects people, parks, and progress. Sign this petition to demand action on removing the I-44 Arch Connector and building the 4th Street Boulevard.