FIRST FUNDS FOR BRIDGE APPROVED; FEDERAL ALLOCATION ASSURES FULL FUNDING

The Federal Highway Administration has agreed to spend at least $1 million to launch construction of a Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau this year.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, announced the funding late Tuesday afternoon from his office in Washington.

He said the project could receive as much as $2 million in federal funding this year.

The federal agency's decision clears the way for the project to proceed and assures future federal funding to complete the bridge.

"Once it starts, it doesn't stop until it gets done," said Emerson.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Department could award the first construction contract for the bridge work in late June.

Construction of the $78 million bridge could begin by fall, said Jim Murray, Missouri Highways and Transportation Department district engineer in Sikeston.

Federal funds will pay 80 percent of the cost; Missouri and Illinois will pay the remainder, Murray said.

The first step in construction will be to sink pilings in the river, Murray said.

Murray said the Missouri highways department, the lead agency in the project, had been waiting for federal funding to proceed with construction.

"I think it is real good news for the town and the whole region because this has been a somewhat long struggle to get this done and get this far," said Murray.

Emerson said, "Cape Girardeau, the 8th District, Missouri and Illinois in general will be better off with the construction of this bridge."

Emerson said federal lawmakers, including Sen. Christopher Bond of Missouri and Rep. Jerry Costello of Illinois, had pushed for funding, along with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Department and regional and community leaders.

Emerson said Cape Girardeau is now "one hurdle closer" to getting a new bridge.

Bond said he was pleased by the federal agency's decision. "A high quality transportation route is imperative because it will stimulate economic growth and provide better access to agricultural markets," he said.

Emerson said the bridge is a priority for safety reasons. The current bridge is a narrow, two-lane span that is "structurally deficient," Emerson said. Traffic is restricted to 45 mph on the 68-year-old bridge.

Emerson said flooding in 1993 and 1995 also has taken a toll on the span.

The new, concrete and steel bridge will be four lanes wide. It will be built south of the existing bridge. Steel cables will hold up the bridge deck.

The new bridge will connect with a four-lane highway on the Missouri side that is under construction. The new route will connect to Interstate 55.