ST. LOUIS – New traffic safety measures are coming to an iconic St. Louis business. But some feel it’s taken the city of St. Louis far too long to make the changes.
Earlier this month, someone drove their car into a fire hydrant across the street from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewa Street in south St. Louis. The city quickly put up a protective bollard in front of the hydrant.
The move sparked public outcry because in 2022 two people died crossing that area of Chippewa, including 17-year-old CBC student Matthew Nikoli, and nothing has been done to make the street safer since.
But city officials confirm changes are on the way. Starting in January, city crews will move the entrance to the popular shop’s east lot, add a signalized crosswalk, add improved lighting, and add a camera connected to SLMPD’s Real Time Crime Center.
Finally, they plan to also put up new concrete bollards along the front of Ted Drewes, protecting people who line up to wait for the famous custard.
City officials say the upgrades are expected to be finished by March 2025, just in time for the next custard season.
