EMERSON ASKS PANEL TO BACK BRIDGE HERE

WASHINGTON -- Construction of a new Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau got the attention of a congressional subcommittee Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson joined state highway Chief Engineer Wayne Muri in telling the House panel that replacement of the bridge must be a top priority.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, wants Congress to include replacement of the bridge in upcoming federal highway legislation.

"The bridge serves scores of thousands in both Missouri and Southeast Illinois," the lawmaker told the House Public Works Surface Transportation Subcommittee, on which he is a senior member.

"This bridge ... was damaged by last year's flood, and the fact of the matter is it needs to be replaced. This committee should understand that we cannot afford not to replace this important tool to commerce and industry and to the livelihood of a vast majority of people in Missouri and Southern Illinois."

Muri, who heads the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department headquartered in Jefferson City, told the subcommittee that inspections show the bridge, opened in 1928, has washed-out areas around a pier that stabilizes the span.

"We are extremely concerned about the potential for more damage from future flooding," said Muri.

"From the viewpoints of engineering feasibility and wise use of taxpayer money, the only feasible option is replacement with a modern, four-lane bridge," Muri said. "I ask for your help in providing funds so that we can move forward with replacement of this bridge."

Emerson provided members of the subcommittee with a packet of photographs and other materials detailing the importance of the bridge replacement project.

The congressman wants to see the bridge included in the National Highway System legislation. The Public Works and Transportation Committee is expected to begin writing the legislation in August, with approval of the full House to be sought in the fall.

Cape Girardeau's bridge project has been on the drawing board for a number of years, and work is under way to clear a path through South Cape Girardeau for a road that will connect the span to Interstate 55.

Missouri highway officials have set aside state funding for approach work and construction of the bridge, but Illinois, a necessary participant in the endeavor, has declined to commit state funds.

The Illinois Department of Transportation holds the position that such bridges should be primarily built with federal highway funds, according to Emerson's office.

The project is estimated to cost about $85.7 million, with the bridge structure itself costing $69.2 million. Emerson has requested "demonstration funds" totaling $55.3 million to cover the 80 percent federal share of the bridge.