`BRIDGE BATH': TRAFFIC DELAYS ARE LIKELY AS THE STATE WASHES SPAN OVER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

The annual washing of the Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau is among several area highway projects that will cause travel delays this week, said the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department at Sikeston.

Meanwhile, department officials said the Route M bridge renovation project under way west of Scott City was completed last week.

Gary Middleton, senior highway maintenance engineer for the department's Cape Girardeau zone office, said the washing of the Mississippi River bridge will begin Monday. Weather permitting, the work is scheduled to be completed by May 14.

Said Middleton: "The bridge washing will begin each day at 8 a.m. and stop at around 3:30 p.m. While the work is under way, one-way traffic will be in effect on the bridge. Flaggers will be located on either side of the washing equipment on the bridge. Motorists can expect up to a 15-minute delay crossing the bridge when the work is going on.

"I also remind anyone planning to cross the bridge with a wide load, such as modular or mobile home or farm implement, that they can expect a delay of 30-45 minutes before crossing the bridge."

Middleton said it takes about 35 to 45 minutes for the bridge washers to empty their portable water tank.

"As soon as the tank is empty, they will20come off the bridge and take on more water. While the washing equipment is off the bridge, traffic and wide loads will be allowed to cross the bridge," he explained.

Middleton said the wash crew will start on the Missouri side of the bridge and work eastward. "They'll be using water from the fire hydrant, so there should be no problem if the water or spray falls on passing vehicles," he said. "If the wind is strong, motorists might want to roll up their windows while passing the bridge washers to keep from getting wet."

The renovation of the Route M bridge over Ramsey Creek west of Scott City was on target for completion last week, said Bob Wilson, highway department resident engineer at Jackson.

The work began last year and has been delayed several times during the winter and spring because of bad weather. While the work was going on, signal-controlled one-way traffic was in effect over the bridge. Wilson said that with the work completed, the traffic signals will be turned off and two-way traffic over the bridge will be restored.

Wilson said the second phase of the Route M project is scheduled to begin this week. The exact start date will be announced later, he said.

The work will include the asphalt resurfacing of Route M from Scott City to Chaffee.

"Where the paving work is in progress, there will be flagger-controlled one-way traffic. Motorists can expect up to a 10-minute delay during the working hours. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by mid-June," said Wilson.

Other highway projects now under way that involve delays to motorists include:

Route 34, Cape Girardeau County. Bridge deck and repair to three bridges from the junction of Route 61 north of Jackson, west to Burfordville. The work is now in progress. The average delay is five minutes. Estimated completion is May 28.

Route 61, Cape Girardeau County. Shoulder work and pavement repair from Perry County line to Fruitland. While the work is under way, there will be flagger-controlled traffic zones during daylight hours. Estimated delay to motorists is 5 minutes. Weather permitting, the work should be completed in mid-to-late July.