ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A project to revitalize the St. Louis riverfront is taking shape, at least on paper.

Susan Trautman, executive director with Great Rivers Greenway, says engineers were able to trim millions of dollars from the original estimate to place a “lid” over I-70 to connect the Archgrounds to downtown.

Now, that money can be used to kick start efforts to raise Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard two-and-a-half feet, making room for other upgrades.

“So, we’ll be building a new bike trail, a riverfront promenade from Chouteau Avenue to Biddle Street and connect into the Archgrounds on the east slope side,” Trautman explained.

Speaking as a guest on the Charlie Brennan show, Trautman said the goal remains to have the highway lid and other improvements completed in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the Arch’s completion in the fall of 2015.

Meanwhile, the stuffed buffalo and other exhibits beneath the Gateway Arch are starting to get a bit musty, according to Tom Bradley.

“Those exhibits are really about forty years old now,” Bradley, superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, said. “We’re working with a really great firm to design new exhibits.”

Bradley says a complete redesign are part of the $380 million plan to improve the St. Louis riverfront. The goal is to combat declining attendance at the Arch and attract more local residents with fresh exhibits.