In Cape Girardeau, construction is everywhere

Orange construction cones have become a familiar sight for many motorists in Cape Girardeau, especially those near downtown.

Much of the work involves improving city infrastructure, such as completion of a stormwater project and concrete road repair. Other projects are the work of outside agencies that call for traffic restrictions in certain areas of the city.

Stormwater project

A section of Independence Street in front of city hall has been closed for more than a month as a crew install large underground culverts as part of the Broadway Stormwater Relief project. A second crew is working nearby on Themis Street between Frederick and Sprigg streets.

City engineer Casey Brunke said the city hopes repaving efforts there will begin in early September.

The project, which was delayed during the winter by bad weather, has taken time because crews are digging 20 to 25 feet into the ground to place the culverts, Brunke said. Once the project is finished, it will route stormwater on Broadway to the Merriwether storm tunnel.

While a section of Sprigg Street eventually will be closed as work on the stormwater tunnels continues, Brunke said that won't happen anytime soon. The finished project will feature three finger of tunnels to alleviate Broadway flooding running along Ellis, Frederick and Middle streets. At this point, Brunke said the final portion of the construction likely will be on Ellis Street, between Themis and Broadway.

Street repairs

The city began an accelerated concrete street repair program in July to address more than a dozen areas. It started on Hopper Road near Clippard Elementary School. Other scheduled repairs will take place throughout the city and include sections of Clark Street, Henderson Avenue and Silver Springs Road.

Streets will not be closed during the repairs, but traffic may be reduced to one lane as crews remove and replace the 10-by-20-foot concrete panels. Only those that are cracked and damaged will be replaced. Final repairs are expected to be finished in December.

Traffic signal

To accommodate an expected traffic increase near two new grocery stores coming to Cape Girardeau's midtown area, a traffic signal will be placed at the William Street and Sheridan Drive intersection. The city is sharing the cost with the owner of the building that houses Ruler Foods, one of the new grocery stores that opens next month.

The poles and mast arms have been erected for the traffic signal. Workers installed a video detection camera that has replaced underground sensors to detect vehicles and help make the light cycles more efficient, said Brunke.

Crews completed the work in the early morning hours without closing lanes, Brunke said, but lane closures are a possibility over the next few days as crews finish striping and other work.

Brunke said she's not certain when the traffic light will go live, but it will go into flashing mode before then. Previous Southeast Missourian reports have indicated the light's operation will coincide with the September opening of Ruler Foods.

Rail work

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. has started replacing cross ties and other crossing components in Cape Girardeau.

The project affects a portion of Nash Road and downtown riverfront locations including La Cruz Street, the Themis Street and Broadway riverfront gates and Red Star Access boat ramp. The crossings will briefly close as repairs are made, and motorists are urged to avoid the areas.

The project also will restrict daytime parking near the railway along Water Street and near the Boardman Pavilion across from Hutson's Fine Furniture. The closure affects only portions of the larger parking lots, and most will be open for daytime parking.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Themis Street and Frederick Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

William Street and Sheridan Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

Broadway Street and Water Street, Cape Girardeau, MO