74 OFFICE CLOSED WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

The Missouri Highway and Transportation Department will close its Highway 74-Mississippi River Bridge right-of-way acquisition office at 550 S. Sprigg on Wednesday evenings, beginning this week.

However, the office will remain open to the public by appointment.

About 112-114 of the 134 tracts of land located along the right-of-way of the Highway 74 route have now been acquired by the state, according to Leroy Nunn, district 10 right-of-way agent for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department.

"We have purchased nearly all of the sites between the river and South Kingshighway. The rest are located between South Kingshighway and I-55," said Nunn. "Some of these tracts are involved in litigation, others are still in negotiation.

"We're looking at wrapping up the purchase of right-of-way property by March 1 of this year. That is somewhat ahead of our schedule. We're very pleased with the cooperation of the people in Cape Girardeau, and proud of the progress we've made so far."

The office opened in November 1992. It was open each Wednesday evenings to allow property owners to negotiate with the state for the purchase of their property for the new highway right-of-way.

"The traffic has pretty well stopped coming in on Wednesday evenings, but we will continue to meet with property owners by appointment," said Nunn.

"If anyone wants to meet with one of our staff, they can call the Cape Girardeau office, 290-5690, and leave their name and telephone number on the answering machine. A member of our staff that is operating out of the Cape office will get back with them and set up a time to meet with them," he continued.

Property owners may also call Nunn's Sikeston office, 472-5345, or write him at Box 160, Sikeston, Mo., 63801, to make an appointment. Appointments may be made for day or evening meetings. Said Nunn, "We have members of our staff working up there during the day and early evening hours."

Nunn said after the land for the right-of-way has been purchased, the office on South Sprigg will probably remain open.

"It is our intention at this time to keep the South Sprigg Street office open during the construction phase of the project as well. This would give our people and the contractors a place to meet, and access to a telephone, if needed," he added.