COMMISSION OKs NASH ROAD EXTENSION

As part of its approval and prioritization of projects on a 15-year needs list, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission Friday authorized funding for extending Nash Road into the Southeast Missouri Regional Port.

Commission action Friday during a meeting in St. Louis also authorized completion of widening Highway 60 from Sikeston to Willow Springs.

"A comprehensive schedule for construction of roads and bridges was approved today," said John L. Oliver Jr. of Cape Girardeau, a member of the highway commission.

"Assuming full federal funding will be forthcoming, construction of Nash Road will get under way sometime next year," said Oliver.

The project calls for an extra wide, heavy duty two-lane highway that will run eastward off I-55 into the port.

Total cost of the Nash Road extension will be about $6.2 million, not counting right-of-way acquisition.

"When it gets started depends on cashflow, federal funds, and the availability of plans," said Oliver.

He said Nash Road is "a high priority non-Proposition A project." If federal funds under the new highway bill are held up this year, Oliver said Nash Road could be delayed because the commission is committed to building Proposition A projects first.

Allan Maki, executive director of the SEMO Port Authority, praised Oliver for his efforts and said extending Nash Road will provide a major boost to development at the port.

We've got a project number and it's on the books," said Maki, who attended the commission meeting.

"We are just gratified that it has been made an official project so that it can start next year."

Maki said many people have worked hard on the project because of its economic impact on the region.

The description of the project is for improvements to the road from I-55 to the port, with grading, bridges and two-lane relocation.

Extension of Nash Road into the port will provide a more direct access to the port off I-55 and will reduce the number of large trucks that presently have to pass through Scott City's main thoroughfare each day.

Most of the top priority projects outlined for work the next three years in District 10 are designed to improve safety. Oliver said many obsolete and unsafe bridges will be replaced soon as a result of the commission's action.

"Nash Road and Highway 60 certainly have a big economic impact; however, there are a lot of important bridge projects and safety measures that are also very important to people in our area," said Oliver.