Construction plans are in, but timing still uncertain

While designs for a wider, safer Highway 34 are becoming clearer, the first construction date is as uncertain as what may be coming around one of those sharp curves near Grassy, Mo.

As part of a huge project that would widen and straighten an 85-mile stretch of road from outside of Jackson, Mo., to Highway 60, the Missouri Department of Transportation outlined some possibilities for Highway 34 to bypass the cities of Marble Hill and Piedmont.

What started out as six or seven options for those two towns has been whittled down to two for Piedmont and three for Marble Hill. Steadily, MoDOT is seeking opinions through periodic public meetings and adjusting plans accordingly.

However, MoDOT officials have no idea when the work on those plans will begin. The project -- roughly estimated to cost $240 million -- is not on MoDOT's schedule in the next five years, and it's not on a project improvement list that would be paid for from proposed increases in the state's fuel tax and sales tax, which will be put before voters in August.

Officials say it could be 12 to 15 years before any plans are put into action, though the state could make headway on the project as repairs need to be made. Meyer said if a new bridge needs to be replaced, it would be built with the new plans in mind.

Though MoDOT officials admit the road is not safe at many points, its relatively low traffic volume makes it a low priority.

Marble Hill plans

Three possibilities exist for an improved route in Marble Hill. The one that makes the most sense to MoDOT would still stop in Marblie Hill but bypass the southwest part of town. This route connects with existing Highway 51 about 800 feet north of the current junction for highways 51 and 34, taking advantage of an existing wide stretch of 34 that bends around the south of the town.

Other possibilities include a route through downtown or one that bypasses Marble Hill altogether to the north. The latter route would be more difficult for MoDOT to build because of rough terrain. The downtown route would require the removal of several buildings, MoDOT district engineer Scott Meyer said.

Marble Hill officials agree.

"I think the prefered plan is the only logical plan," Mayor Don Eakers said. "They could spend a lot more money taking either of the other two routes. I think that it would isolate the town using the route north and east of town."

Piedmont plans

MoDOT has narrowed the options to two around Piedmont, one that goes south at Clearwater High School and connects with Highway 49. The other would swing north and of town.

Outside of the plans made in the towns of Piedmont, the improved 34 would run along the same path as the existing road, but with wider lanes and 12-foot shoulders. The majority of 34 has no shoulders at all.

In addition to the straightening and flattening of the highway, the plans call for making the road three, four and five lanes in certain sections.

All of that would help make it safer, said Sgt. Brent Davis, regional spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Although accident figures for Highway 34 weren't available last week, Davis said a look at the highway and at reports on the 194,000 accidents in Missouri last year tell the story.

"Inattention is the primary cause," he said. "When you have hills and curves, and you take your eyes off the road for two or three seconds to dial a cell phone or talk to someone in the back seat, there is a vast difference in taking your eyes off the road in hilly, curvy conditions and doing it on Interstate 55."

The delay of the Highway 34 project and others in Southeast Missouri has infuriated state Rep. Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill.

The fact that only two Southeast Missouri road projects -- Route 412 in Kennett and some work on Highway 60 -- are on the list to be paid by the possible tax only angered him more. Jetton walked 225 miles from Jackson to Jefferson City last year to deliver a petition to the capital and draw attention to Southeast Missouri's transportation needs. And now a $511 million tax increase includes just two projects in this region.

Jetton said he realizes MoDOT needs more money to complete the projects that the people want done. However, he wants to see reform in the department before he endorses any tax increases.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127