Groundbreaking as early as May after money issues delay Chippewa pedestrian improvements

ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) – This July will mark two years since 17-year-old Matthew Nikolai was killed in a hit-and-run on Chippewa.

Two years later, road changes to slow reckless drivers and protect pedestrians are still not visible outside of the Ted Drewes.

According to data from the City of St. Louis, almost a dozen crashes have happened near the busy business since 2022, including two pedestrians who were struck and killed while crossing the street.

In May 2023, First Alert 4 reported that the city had money for pedestrian protections on Chippewa and was in the design phase. Almost a year later, and we’re now learning that the project was delayed because of money.

“Those dollars were allocated somewhere else, so we had to undo that,” said Ward 2 Alderman Tom Oldenburg. “That does take time and for that I certainly apologize but I am glad we are on track now.”

Ward funds will cover the design and then federal ARPA dollars will cover the two-phase project cost.

Oldenburg doesn’t have an exact timeline but said some of the improvements will be started before the custard season is on its way.

“It’s a necessity,” said Ted Drewes owner Travis Dillon. “It’s important to all of us. Our whole crew here and actually St. Louis. We want to keep everyone safe when they come to Ted Drewes. Nothing is more important.”

According to Oldenburg, the first phase will include bollards, a bump out and raising the curb in front of Ted Drewes. This will be followed by a traffic signal and island in the middle of Chippewa this summer.

Oldenburg told First Alert 4 community meetings will be held to give residents a chance to weigh in, but no dates have been set for them. The city said they are weeks from releasing renderings of what it will look like.

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