Cape Girardeau street improvement projects should help traffic

Several street improvement projects, including the installation of four traffic signals at heavily congested intersections, should improve traffic flow in Cape Girardeau by this fall.

Traffic signals will be installed at the intersections of Siemers Drive and Lambert Drive; Siemers Drive and Bloomfield Road; Bloomfield Road and Mount Auburn Road; and at an entrance to the Westfield West Park off Mount Auburn Road, near El Acapulco Mexican Restaurant.

Mount Auburn Road, from Route K to Bloomfield Road, will be widened from two lanes to five lanes. The project also includes the construction of sidewalks on that section of Mount Auburn Road.

City engineer Jay Stencel said the widening of Mount Auburn is part of the city's long-term traffic plan. He said replacing stop signs with traffic signals at the four intersections on Siemers Drive and Mount Auburn Road will improve traffic flow.

"When you have that many lanes, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out who's turn it is. The traffic signals by the mall, and widening Mount Auburn, will ease congestion especially during the holiday season," Stencel said.

Gordonville resident Brandi Voelker is happy the city is installing the signals. Voelker travels on Siemers Drive approximately three times a week. She often sits in traffic backed up at the intersection of Siemers Drive and Lambert Drive, which is the road motorists use to access Target, Sam's Club and Cape West 14 Cine.

"It's very much needed," Voelker said about the traffic signals.

The city will accept bids for the project until 10 a.m. May 30. The entire project is grouped together to help cut costs.

"You get a better bid if you have more traffic signals in one project. We knew we needed the signals, and so we're able to purchase all the packages at one time for a cheaper cost," Stencel said.

The project plans were prepared by Bowen Engineering and Surveying Inc. and not the city engineer's office. Stencel said the city staff does not have enough time or manpower to survey and engineer all street projects. "We're swamped," he said.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10 a.m. May 23 at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau. Engineers with the city and Bowen Engineering will discuss plans and specifications of the project.

There is generally a lengthy back order when purchasing traffic signals, Stencel said. The project is expected to be complete sometime this fall.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246