Cape public works crews collect storm debris

Cape Girardeau public works crews have collected more than 50 truckloads of storm debris totaling 75 tons since the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through Southeast Missouri.

Two crews with two teams of workers assigned to each crew are moving methodically through the city from South to North with front-end loaders, trucks and chainsaws, said Robert Kutak, traffic operations manger for the department.

The city will be sending the crews out daily through Sept. 26 to collect debris, Kutak said. Residents are being asked to move tree limbs and other debris to the curbside. There is no limit on size, Kutak said.

"At the end of the week I will reassess the city and see if the process will take longer," he said.

The Cape Girardeau collections will be made between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

City residents who wish to haul their own tree limbs may drop them off free of charge at the city compost holding area, 453 Cooper Street, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Sept. 27. Non-city residents, contractors and others hired to remove limbs may haul debris to the transfer station, where fees will apply. The station, at 2500 S. Sprigg St., is open from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Scott City, crews will be making curbside pickup of downed trees and limb debris through Sept. 30, the city announced Tuesday. Residents who wish to drop off debris may do so at the public works facility on Rose Con Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The service will be free to Scott City residents.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126