BLOOMFIELD BRIDGE OPEN TEMPORARILY

Cape Girardeau motorists may have two more weeks to use the Bloomfield Road bridge that crosses Cape LaCroix Creek, a block south of Kingshighway.

The bridge will remain open until about June 1, said Ken Eftink, Cape Girardeau planning coordinator. "At that time, it will be closed for about four months to permit construction of a new bridge.

Originally, the bridge was scheduled to close this past Monday.

But Eftink said: "The contractor changed his mind over the weekend. He felt he could do some approach work to the north and south of the bridge before closing it for traffic."

The bridge work is part of the LaCroix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project which is being done by Dumey Excavation, Inc., and Brenda Kay Construction Company.

"The bridge work has been contracted out to Givens Construction, of Poplar Bluff," said Eftink.

A new, wider bridge will be constructed at the site, noted Elfrink. He said traffic will be detoured along Christine east of the bridge and Commercial west of the bridge.

The new bridge will be 36 feet wide, with an additional five-foot pedestrian crossing on the upstream side. The existing bridge about 20 feet wide.

"Once the bridge is closed, motorists should avoid this area to prevent traffic congestion and delay," said Eftink.