I-66 BACKERS MEET MONDAY IN MISSOURI

The state of Kentucky has done a feasibility study for the I-66 proposed highway. Missouri is doing a study regarding the same project.

And I-66 backers are scheduled to meet Monday night at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill., as they seek to convince the Illinois Department of Transportation to do a feasibility study for such a route across Southern Illinois.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Supporters view it as a way to provide an east-west interstate-type highway through the region. Among other things, it could link Paducah, Ky., and Cape Girardeau.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has been cool to the idea of a corridor study.

Illinois officials have said that constructing a major highway through the Shawnee National Forest likely would conflict with federal environmental laws.

The state has pressing needs on its existing highway system and won't commit any funds to an I-66 study at this time, Illinois Transportation Secretary Kirk Brown said in a May 14 letter to the head of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

"At this point, they have not exactly warmed up to the idea of even doing a study," said Walt Wildman, executive director of the I-66 Project, based in Cape Girardeau.

Wildman helped organize Monday night's scheduled meeting because he feels it is time for Illinois residents to form a grassroots group to lobby IDOT.

Wildman will attend the meeting. He said 115 to 120 people have been invited, including business, government and civic leaders in Southern Illinois.

Illinois State Sen. Jim Rea, D-Christopher, is expected to attend the meeting, Wildman said. IDOT officials also have been invited.

Wildman said Southern Illinois traditionally has lost out to the Chicago area and the whole northern part of the state when it comes to transportation projects.

"It is just a matter of priorities," said Wildman. "We aren't talking about breaking the bank. We are just talking about a study."

Wildman said the study possibly could be funded with federal money.

He said he discussed possible funding with some of the region's congressional leaders and Federal Highway Administration officials during a visit to Washington in April.

Wildman said the proposed highway would extend across interstates 24 and 57 in Southern Illinois. "The potential economic benefit would be fantastic," he said.