Competing ideas pop up on new road's path

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- People in the Poplar Bluff area are being asked to support a proposed U.S. 60 corridor that would bypass two old, narrow bridges connecting Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky -- an alternative to the route Cape Girardeau interests hope to see as a connection among the states.

Transportation departments in the three states, the Federal Highway Administration and two consulting firms have formed a project study group to determine a feasible corridor for transportation improvements between Paducah, Ky., and Interstate 55 in Missouri.

City, county and community leaders along U.S. 60 in Missouri support the construction of a new Ohio River bridge at a site upriver from the current bridge and a four-lane highway from Barlow, Ky., to the Interstate 57 interchange north of Cairo, Ill. This route would eliminate the need to replace the existing U.S. 60 bridge over the Mississippi River and traveling through Wickliffe, Ky.

However, leaders in Cape Girardeau are pushing for a new four-lane highway going east across Southern Illinois. This route would give Cape Girardeau a direct connection with northbound Interstate 57 and southbound Interstate 24.

Those favoring the Cairo-to-Barlow route say Highway 3 in Illinois could be made four lanes so Cape Girardeau would still have an improved route to I-24.

The route selected will become part of the proposed Interstate 66, which will extend from Virginia to Wichita, Kan.

The deadline for submitting written comments is Aug. 23. They must be mailed to the Illinois Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 100, Carbondale, IL 62901.

"I just hope we are able to get a bridge built across the Ohio River in a place that will allow for continued growth of Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois and so we can enhance our ability to market the area for economic development," said state Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff.

Butler County was represented by five men at an open house public meeting Wednesday at Shawnee Community College at Ullin, Ill.

"The study group needs to look at alternatives that would benefit Southeast Missouri and U.S. 60 communities," said Bill Robison, a member of the Highway 67 Corporation Board. "East-west travel is extremely difficult and inefficient due to the two narrow bridges, narrow roads, at-grade intersections, hills and curves."

Robison also emphasized how efficient, safe transportation is vital to Southeast Missouri.

"The cost of transporting goods and services continues to rise, so every mile counts," Robison said.

Jim Vernon of Poplar Bluff and Butler County Commissioners Ed Strenfel, Jeff Darnell and Butch Anderson also attended the meeting.

Several people from Cape Girardeau showed up at the same meeting, advocating for their favored route, too.

The Southeast Missourian reported Thomas Meyer, chairman of the board of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, said the natural path is connecting point A to point B, and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau would be ideal for a connection to Interstate 57.

Several residents from Dexter, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo., also attended the meeting. Dexter was represented by city manager Mark Stidham and Harold Williams, who owns a moving-van company. Mayor Jerry Pullian and economic development director Ed Dust represented Sikeston.

The study team will continue to meet with the public, gather information, respond to public comments, develop a 30-member Community Advisory Group and initiate a project purpose and need. During the next two to three years, the study group will develop and evaluate alternatives and determine the preferred route.

Those interested may sign up to receive newsletters and announcements and stay up to date by visiting www.66corridor.org.

Pertinent address:

Ullin, Ill.

Cairo, Ill.