City to hold TTF-4 open house next week

The public will get a look at the complete plan for Cape Girardeau road improvements next week during an open house before the city Planning and Zoning Commission votes to send the project list to the city council.

The city is working on the fourth five-year plan for roads funded by a half-cent sales tax. The tax was first enacted in 1995 and has raised close to $60 million for street construction and repairs.

From 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9, city residents can review the plan at the city council chambers of city hall, 401 Independence St. The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m., and a vote is planned for that meeting.

Under the latest proposal, the transportation subcommittee of the planning commission is proposing 11 major projects along with money for asphalt overlays, sidewalk repairs and contingencies, for a total of about $21.5 million. City leaders are aiming at an August 2010 vote to extend the tax five more years.

Funds from the sales tax are earmarked in what is called the Transportation Trust Fund, or TTF. Since the vote next year is on the fourth version of the tax, it will be known as TTF-4.

Transportation subcommittee chairman Harry Rediger said he would have to hear something big to postpone the planned vote.

"It would have to be something pretty drastic on any one project," Rediger said.

At the most recent commission meeting, members discussed planned improvements along Bloomfield Road. The funding won't go far enough to complete widening of the road to Highway 74, but the road will be better, he said.

"We have listened and listened and we have put safety on Bloomfield on top of the list as far as priority," he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642