Council could apply brakes on Kingshighway

At its meeting tonight, the Cape Girardeau City Council will consider an ordinance that would amend speed limits on Kingshighway.

South Kingshighway would see little change, but speed limits for a large portion of North Kingshighway would be adjusted to 45 miles per hour -- including the section that passes the Osage Centre, where the existing speed limit is 50 mph -- if the ordinance is approved.

Reports from city staff say city and Missouri Department of Transportation officials have spoken many times about "hot spot" locations along the street brought to their attention by concerned business owners in the area. This prompted MoDOT to perform a comprehensive speed-limit review of Kingshighway, also known as the "I-55 Business Loop," which stretches between exit 99 and exit 93.

City staff recommended speed limits in the area be adjusted after discussing MoDOT's review, which would require amending sections of the city code pertaining to traffic.

Under the new ordinance, the speed zones along Kingshighway would be:

* Interstate 55 exit 99 to Boulder Crest Drive -- 55 mph

* Boulder Crest Drive to Cape Rock Drive -- 45 mph

* Cape Rock Drive to Good Hope Street -- 35 mph

* Good Hope Street to Gerhardt Street -- 45 mph

* Gerhardt Street to Interstate 55 exit 93 -- 55 mph

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.