HIGHWAY MEETING TODAY; LOCAL OFFICIALS WILL SUBMIT PLAN TO STATE

JACKSON -- Local officials weren't exactly thrilled by the alternatives proposed by the state for a Highway 34 bypass, so they've come up with a highway improvement package of their own.

Representatives from Cape Girardeau County and the cities of Jackson and Cape Girardeau will outline the plan, which includes improving existing highways and some new road construction, in a meeting with the Missouri Department of Transportation at 2 p.m. today at the Jackson City Hall.

"It's completely different than anything that's been proposed so far," said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander.

The state wants to build a Highway 34 bypass from Jackson to Cape Girardeau to ease traffic congestion between the two cities.

Five alternative routes are under study. One calls for simply widening Highway 34-U.S. 61 through Jackson to five lanes. Others would bypass Jackson and hook into Route K at or near its intersection with I-55. Another would run to the south of Cape Girardeau.

Sander said local officials want MoDOT to consider a package of road and highway improvements aimed at improving traffic flow between the two cities.

"It's quite an extensive plan that really addresses a whole lot of needs rather than just a single bypass," he said.

The proposal to be outlined today calls for improving existing segments of Highway 25, Highway 72 and Interstate 55.

It also lists as top-priority projects the construction of an East Main interchange at Interstate 55 in Jackson and improvements along Route K in Cape Girardeau. Those priorities have been endorsed in resolutions approved by both cities and the Cape Girardeau County Commission.

"It does not involve a bypass at all, really, as they're now looking at it," Sander said. "It keys more around improving existing roadways and building a couple of new roadways, but not bypasses."

The plan would be carried out in phases over several years and includes "15 or 16" separate improvements, he said.

"What it does in my opinion, and I don't know that this is feasible until engineers look at it, but this plan would be done in stages, and every stage would improve that area," Sander said. "A bypass would almost have to be completed before any help was given. This plan would not be like that."

Scott Meyer, MoDOT district engineer, said highway officials have "taken a look at" the new plan but haven't studied it in-depth.

"We'll want to take a look at it and see which of the proposed improvements would be things the state would be responsible for," Meyer said. "Some of the things are local roads and local needs, and they recognize that."

The state also needs to look at which improvements fit into the Highway 34-Highway 72 improvements under study, he said.

The new proposal is "rather comprehensive," and "it crosses jurisdictions between the cities, the state and the county, and from that standpoint, we welcome the input," Meyer said.

Local officials have not endorsed any of the alternatives proposed by the state. There were some concerns early on because some of the alternatives through Jackson would have run through existing schools or businesses.

The southernmost route now under study would run through the Wolf Lane area of Cape Girardeau.

Sander said he was especially concerned about the impact of the alternatives that would bypass Jackson completely.

"I think when we're talking about things as serious and long-term as new bypasses and new highways, everything should be explored," Sander said. "We certainly should keep in mind how any bypass or any highway or any upgrade of any existing highway will affect our businesses or how it will affect attracting any new businesses to Jackson."

Participants in today's meeting will include MoDOT, the Cape Girardeau City Council, Jackson Board of Aldermen, the County Commission, and the planning and zoning commissions from both cities. Also invited are state lawmakers, the SEMO Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, Bollinger County officials and Chambers of Commerce from both cities.

The meeting is open to the public, but there will not be a question-answer session or public forum.