CITY TO BEGIN WORK TO IMPROVE SEWERS

Planning is under way for the second phase of a sewer improvement project in Cape Girardeau.

During a public meeting at City Hall Wednesday night, engineers with Sverdrup Civil Inc. of Maryland Heights outlined preliminary designs for the second round of projects.

Each phase consists of six separate projects to separate stormwater overflow and sanitary sewers or construct new sewer lines and replace broken lines.

Phase one began in 1994, and should be completed by May. Construction of phase two is slated to begin late in the summer. The final project in phase two should be completed by early 1996.

Projects in the second phase affect the eastern portion of Cape Girardeau from the Cape Rock and Red Star areas south to Ramsey Branch.

Richard C. Vedder, program manger of the project for Sverdrup, said capital costs for the second phase will be about $15,552,000. The first phase will cost $10.8 million.

The projects will be financed through a one-half-cent sales tax approved by city voters in 1994. No rate increase in service will result from the improvements, Vedder said.

The projects are designed to ensure that raw sewage intended for treatment is not emptied directly into Cape LaCroix Creek during heavy rains.