COUNTY SEEKS IDEAS ON ROAD PAVING

Cape Girardeau County wants to pave additional miles of county roads, but the perennial question remains: Which roads are to be paved?

The County Commission and highway department are drafting a paving policy, and commissioners are looking for suggestions.

In the past, the decision on which roads to pave has been based almost exclusively on traffic counts, explained Associate Commissioner Larry Bock.

Cooperation from property owners along the roadway also plays a part in the decision, he said. When property owners are cooperative or organize themselves, it makes the process easier.

But commissioners are considering a provision that would give county residents a way to petition the county to pave less-traveled roads. Property owners would likely participate in the cost.

"We're thinking about some sort of cost share," said Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones. "Maybe 50-50 or 60-40. We don't know exactly what would be fair."

The county maintains about 420 miles of roadways, most of it gravel. About 76 miles are paved. Each year a few miles of paved roadway is added to the total.

Paving gravel roads can be costly, said Jones. In 1998, the county paved 7.52 miles at a cost of $396,790. That is $52,763 per mile.

"Our goal is to serve the public and try to keep the transportation improving," said Scott Bechtold, highway department head.

The county would continue to pave roads when it is advisable for safety or financial reasons.

Subdivision developers may want to have county roads paved as a way to increase sales or property values, Jones said. Perhaps developers could help with the costs. In return, additional miles of paved roads might spur economic development, Jones said.

Commissioners have collected information from other counties about paving policies. Those policies also will be considered in drafting a final policy.

"We have some ideas," Jones said, "But we are interested in what people in the county think. We're interested in their suggestions."

Commissioners are asking for written suggestions about the paving policy. Suggestions should be mailed to Highway Department, County Office Building, Jackson, Mo. 63755, attn: Scott Bechtold.