Bill funds 2 local road projects

Congress approves money for East Main interchange and Ramsey Creek bridge.

The new federal highway bill on the verge of congressional approval will fuel two long-sought highway projects in the area: Jackson's East Main Street interchange and Scott City's Ramsey Creek bridge.

The bill, worked out by House and Senate negotiators including U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, promises to cover most of the cost of those two projects.

However, the two senators from Missouri, Bond and Jim Talent, announced different funding totals Thursday for the East Main Street project.

In a news release, Bond said he earmarked $5 million for the $5.8-million interchange. Talent issued a news release promising a total of $10 million for the project.

Talent spokesman Rich Chrismer said late Thursday night that Talent had secured the additional $5 million for the project as part of his package of "earmarks." If the funding available exceeds the cost of the project, "the extra money will be used for that project and other Missouri transportation infrastructure projects or anything the community would want that is related to transportation needs."

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said he hoped the $10 million would cover the cost of the interchange plus connecting streets, including the East Main Street extension and LaSalle Avenue.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office as well as Missouri Department of Transportation officials were unaware of the extra $5 million announced by Talent.

The I-55 interchange and Ramsey Creek projects are part of a five-year, $286.5 billion highway bill.

The House was expected to pass the bill late Thursday. The Senate will vote before the end of the week.

The new bill will provide almost $1.3 billion in additional highway funding for Missouri over the five-year period, said Bond, who chairs the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee.

Under the bill, Missouri will receive more than $200 million in additional federal highway funding annually. Missouri will receive $862 million, up from $661 million in the current law.

In addition to that funding, the legislation earmarks $52 million for transportation projects in Southeast Missouri. That includes the East Main Street and Ramsey Creek bridge projects.

Other projects on the list:

* Completion of the widening of U.S 60 to four lanes from Willow Springs to Van Buren, $25 million.

* Improvements to U.S. 67 from Butler County to St. Francois County, $15 million.

* Funding for the Southeast Missouri Transportation Service (a van shuttle service that operates throughout much of the region), $2 million.

News of federal funding for the East Main Street and Ramsey Creek bridge projects thrilled local officials.

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said the earmarked federal money will help local governments and the Missouri Department of Transportation move ahead with plans to construct the East Main Street interchange on Interstate 55.

The planned interchange north of Center Junction will provide a new entrance to Jackson on the west side of I-55 and Cape Girardeau on the east side. It also will spur development of Southeast Missouri State University's planned research park on the east side of the planned interchange.

Sander credited Bond, Talent and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson with helping to secure funding for the East Main Street project.

"They realize this is a tremendous transportation and economic boon for the area," he said.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson and city manager Doug Leslie were out of town and couldn't be reached for comment.

Last month, five governmental entities reached an agreement on funding for the East Main Street interchange.

MoDOT had agreed to pay half of the cost of the project, but that was before the federal funding was announced. Jackson, the city of Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County and the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation had agreed to pay the other $2.9 million.

Late Thursday night, local officials were still unclear how the funding would impact the cooperation agreement.

MoDOT officials Thursday afternoon were only aware of the $5 million earmarked by Bond. Barry Horst, MODOT project development engineer, said the money would be split between the state and local entities.

MoDOT officials said the federal funding won't speed up the timetable for construction. The project is scheduled to start in 2007 and be completed by spring 2008.

Sander is comfortable with the timetable. "I don't think we can rush it much more than that," he said.

In Scott City, officials say the Ramsey Creek bridge would ease traffic congestion on I-55 and create a new commercial corridor.

"I am very ecstatic," Scott City Mayor Tim Porch said. "Hopefully the president is going to sign the bill. If he does, we will be able to get started."

Said Porch, "I am sure it is really going to promote some progress."

The Ramsey Creek bridge project would extend the outer road in Scott City and construct a new bridge. The outer road would run from Scott City's Main Street to Route AB, providing another route into and out of Scott City.

"It also opens up Scott City's industrial park," Horst said.

Horst said the earmarked federal funds should be enough to pay the entire cost of the project.

Porch said he hopes the project can be constructed within the next two to three years.

Southeast Missourian reporter Rudi Keller and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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