Cape readies for Bloomfield Road widening project

The city of Cape Girardeau intends to widen a one-mile, tree-canopied section of Bloomfield Road, starting this fall.

City engineer Casey Brunke said the project likely won’t be finished until 2017.

The city is advertising for bids for the project, which will widen the road from the Benton Hill Road (County Road 206) intersection to White Oaks Lane near the Dalhousie Golf Club. City staff plan to open bids Aug. 2.

Motorists move along a tree covered section of Bloomfield Road on Thursday.GLENN LANDBERG ~ glandberg@semissourian.com

Brunke said the widening work will involve removal of trees near the current roadway.

Widening of a stretch of Bloomfield Road from Stonebridge Drive to the Benton Hill Road area several years ago sparked criticism from some residents who objected to the removal of dozens of trees.

Planning and design work has been finalized, Brunke said, adding most of the right of way has been acquired.

According to the city’s capital improvements plan, the entire project is expected to cost $3.4 million, with construction costs estimated at $2.89 million.

Transportation Trust Fund 4 money will pay most of the cost. Another $150,000 has been provided by the Cape Girardeau Special Road District, which maintains that stretch of roadway.

District engineer Mark Phillips said the road district paid the city $30,000 over five years as its contribution to the project.

Once the work is done, the city will take over maintenance of that section of Bloomfield Road as it has previously improved sections, Phillips said.

The project involves construction of a 28-foot-wide concrete pavement as well as placement of two small, precast-concrete bridges and installation of storm sewers.

Brunke said the project will include curb and gutter and extension of an existing trail. Plans call for construction of an 8-foot-wide asphalt trail that will extend along the length of the route.

“It is going to make it safer,” Brunke said of the road project.

The work will require the road to be closed to traffic at times, particularly for installation of the bridges, she said. Brunke said an effort will be made to work on one side of the roadway at a time so traffic still can move along the route as much as possible.

Eventually, city officials would like to improve the remainder of Bloomfield Road, which connects to Highway 74 in the Dutchtown area. But Brunke said no money has been earmarked for such a project at this time.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield and Benton Hill roads, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Bloomfield Road and White Oaks Lane, Cape Girardeau, Mo.