Crowd expected for Ramsey Creek bridge meeting

Southeast Missourian file Some in Scott City look to the Ramsey Creek Bridge project to help relieve congestion at the Interstate 55 interchange. [Click to enlarge]

The Missouri Department of Transportation's informal public meeting to unveil the Ramsey Creek bridge and road extension may get crowded.

Norman Brant, Scott County's highway department superintendent and a Scott City councilman, is one of several who plans on being there.

Brant said he and other county officials saw a draft of the plans two months ago.

"We thought they were good plans," he said.

The road and bridge will help dilute heavy traffic while providing a place for as many as 35 businesses to develop and connect Scott City's residential and industrial sections.

Another Scott City councilman, Bill Schwartz, said he had not yet seen the plans and would be at the MoDOT meeting.

Schwartz said the bridge and road extension "would be another way out of town to relieve the traffic congestion. That's the top thing on my agenda."

Scott City resident Andrew Bard, owner of Computer 21, said had he been aware of the meeting, he would have arranged to attend. Instead, he's committed to opening a new store in Sikeston, Mo. He's eager to learn more about MoDOT's plans.

"I'd like to see what they're saying is a long-term goal," he said.

Plans for the bridge and road extension have been in the works for years. A 2005 cost estimate was $5 million. It was not clear Wednesday how inflation and gas prices will affect future construction costs. MoDOT typically estimates a 3 percent rate of inflation to the cost of construction and rights of way, but none to funding from other agencies.

In addition to learning more about the Ramsey Creek project, MoDOT officials will also discuss adding a turn lane to Route K, according Tonya Wells, MoDOT spokeswoman.

The meeting will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at city hall, 215 Chester St. in Scott City.

For details, call MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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