Gas for $2.69 backs up traffic in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — More than 250 people bought gas Tuesday afternoon at Rhodes 101 for $2.69 a gallon.

Poplar Bluff police directed traffic for the two-hour event, with an average of one person filling up every 30 seconds.

This first-time promotion from Big River Telephone appears to have struck a chord with the public, with southbound traffic on Westwood Boulevard at the Wal-Mart turnoff backed up for more than a half-mile during much of the event.

After a 25-minute wait, Poplar Bluff resident Kay Lee's Silverado pickup was the next to last vehicle allowed through before the prices were reset at 3 p.m.

On her second trip through the line, it was likely going to take all of the 30-gallon limit on the special deal to fill up her truck. Lee put 13 gallons in her Jeep Wrangler earlier, bringing her total savings to about $43.

"Every little bit helps," said Lee, who hoped to win tickets to a Billy Currington concert that were also being given away at the event. "We just drove up to Montana and paid as much as $4.19 a gallon, so it was nice to get back."

With 3,214 gallons sold from 1 to 3 p.m., Big River hopes potential customers will associate its name with saving money.

"This was something to help the community and to help promote our name," said Big River president Kevin Cantwell. "Obviously, the price of gas is getting ridiculous, but we also wanted to show people we can save them money on gas, and we can save them money on telephone and Internet."

Ed Baker drove in from his home on Route M and spent 45 minutes in line when he heard gas was being offered for $2.69 a gallon.

"I had just got in line and the [gas] light came on," Baker said, as he filled two gas cans in the back of his truck. "I needed gas anyhow and this way I save $1 a gallon. That would help anybody."

To run his family's three trucks, it takes from $100 to $120 a week, Baker said.

Though Big River employees had to turn away some disappointed drivers as the gas station shut down just after 3 p.m. to reset the prices, Cantwell considers the event a success.

The company plans to offer more promotions like this in their service area, he said.

Since its start in December 2001, Big River Telephone has attracted 50,000 customers in Southeast Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky.

Police were contacted before the event for traffic control and did a tremendous job, Cantwell said.