Completion of ramp project expected this week

By MATT SANDERS

Southeast Missourian

Scott City residents can expect slight delays on the Interstate 55 interchange ramps some time this week as ramp repairs are finished.

Work began repairing cracks in the ramps in early September with the majority of it happening at night. The Missouri Department of Transportation originally said the work would be finished in early October, but rainy weather and scheduling conflicts have caused the project's finish date to be delayed.

Allen Friedrich, MoDOT senior construction inspector in Jackson, said most of the work on the ramps is complete. Workers now have to put arrow markings on the pavement.

"It just goes with the nature of the job," Friedrich said of the delay.

The repair work was previously done mostly at night to reduce traffic congestion on the ramps. During the work speeds on the on- and off-ramps were greatly reduced, causing some traffic back ups. Most of the work consisted of sealing cracks in the pavement, not repaving the ramps.

MoDOT project manager Eric Krapf estimates the pavement is several decades old.

St. Louis-based Park-Mark Inc. was subcontracted by Gaines Construction Inc., also based in the St. Louis area, to install new ramp markings. Park-Mark will use groove marking tape, where grooves are cut in the pavement and reflective tape inserted, instead of painting.

Rick Toman, Park-Mark vice president, estimates company crews will finish the work in Scott City this week, but he couldn't specify what day work would take place.

Toman said he's not sure whether the work will take place during night or daytime hours. That decision will be made depending on which is better for the safety of motorists and work crews, he said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182