Jackson keeps working on water, traffic projects

Some projects exceeded expectations in Jackson in 2003, while others have carried over and continue to plod along slowly. Whatever the case, it was a busy planning and construction year for the county seat. Despite a tornado that decimated buildings and parks in May, the city continued its plans to improve traffic flow and build new sewer mains and wells.

The city performed a number of smaller projects, like painting a water tower and patching streets.

Larger projects, such as the widening of Highway 34/72 and the intersection improvements at Farmington and Route D, were slowed somewhat as the city and state attempted to acquire right of way.

In the meantime, the city spent $3 million in water distribution and sanitary sewer infrastructure projects and $781,700 in road studies and improvements.

Here is a breakdown of some of the improvements and progress to city infrastructure made in 2003:

East Main Street extensionThe East Main Street extension project is perhaps Jackson's biggest undertaking. Eventually, Main Street will extend to Interstate 55, which city officials hope will not only relieve traffic all over town but provide opportunities for commercial development as well.

The city didn't break ground on the next phase of the project in 2003, but engineers have all but finalized the plans for construction this year. Once all the right of way is acquired, the city will be able to move forward on the project, perhaps as early as June.

The $1.4 million project is a 50-50 cost agreement with Jackson and MoDOT. The next phase of the project will be to extend Main from Oak Hill Road to about 2,000 feet from the interstate. From there, the Missouri Department of Transportation will design and build the interchange. That portion of the project is scheduled to begin in 2005 with completion in 2006.

The development of a Transportation Development District, a way of financing roads by using tax revenue that the district generates, has not advanced past the discussion phase. The idea was introduced at a joint meeting with Cape Girardeau last winter as a way to pay for the project, but there has been no deal-cutting as important land owners, such as Southeast Missouri State University, try to make specific plans of how to utilize their property.

Highway 34/72The plan is to widen highways 34 and 72 from two lanes to four from near the Highway 25 intersection out to the 34/72 fork a few miles west of Jackson.

The project will be divided into three phases, with the first phase to begin this summer.

After struggling with property owners over access issues and whether to construct a median in the middle of Jackson's western entrance, MoDOT had a difficult time cutting right-of-way deals.

Finally, the condemnation process took its course, and MoDOT can move to the next stage of Phase 1, which extends from the Highway 25 intersection up to the Main Street intersection. It will take about 1 1/2 construction seasons to complete Phase 1, said Eric Krapf, project manager for MoDOT.

Krapf said a few more houses will need to be demolished, and the utilities will need to be relocated before construction on Phase 1 can begin.

Phase 2, from Main Street to County Road 335, is under way as well. MoDOT has made a handful of offers to property owners for right of way. Krapf said he hopes construction on Phase 2 will begin in the summer of 2005.

Shawnee improvementIn January last year, the city approved a comprehensive traffic plan that cost the city about $100,000 in consulting fees.

The first improvement that came from that plan was the South Shawnee Boulevard and Old Cape Road intersection, which turned out to be one of the city's bright spots in 2003.

The intersection was widened, and an extra turn lane was added to move traffic from Shawnee onto East Jackson Boulevard.

The city also removed the stop signs on Shawnee at Old Cape Road. The cost of the project was roughly $90,000.

After its completion, some people complained that the intersection is more dangerous than before.

Jackson police Capt. Bob Bonney said there were two or three accidents at the intersection in the first three or four weeks after the improvement. Since then, he said, none have occurred.

Well No. 7If the Shawnee intersection was one of the city's most productive projects, Well No. 7 was Jackson's lucky one.

It didn't start out that way as a drilling contractor broke a bit several hundred feet below the surface and had to start over again. But eventually, the city was rewarded with a well that provides roughly 250 gallons per minute more than what was estimated.

The city ended up having to pay an extra $55,000 for upgrades to handle the 700 gallon-per-minute flow, but the lucky strike will mean the city won't have to drill another well for a long, long time.

Well No. 7 ended up costing roughly $790,000. The construction of a new well was a means to prevent low water pressures during hot summer months. The city had minor problems with water pressure during the summer and a 500 gallon-per-minute well figured to solve the problem.

Farmington/Route DThe city plans to improve one of its more dangerous intersections -- Farmington and Independence, otherwise known as Route D.

The city will make the intersection perpendicular from all approaches, knock down a hill to improve sight lines and add left-turn lanes from all four directions.

The necessary right of way acquisitions have been made, and the project is now in MoDOT's hands.

The total cost of the project, including right-of-way purchases is $450,000. MoDOT has agreed to pay 80 percent of the $250,000 construction costs.

Hiking/Biking trailThe city has awarded a contract on a bid of $228,474 to build a 6-foot wide trail from the city park to the middle school.

The city had hoped to have the project done in 2003, but because federal money was being spent on the trail the project was delayed. The state and federal governments both had to issue their approval.

MoDOT will pay 80 percent of the project, using discretionary funds handed down by the federal highway commission.

The project was deemed a matter of safety because there are no sidewalks along the busy state highway and children walk home from school along the route.

City engineer Dan Triller said work will begin once the weather breaks.

Interceptor sewersPR Developers of Cape Girardeau is about halfway done laying two trunk mains on the east side of the city.

The Goose Creek and Main Street interceptor sewer lines will cost $1.5 million when completed, but the projects were deemed necessary for growth.

The sewer mains, from eight to 12 inches in diameter, will eliminate the need of six lift stations, equipment that is expensive to maintain.

The projects are being paid for with bonds passed by voters in 1998.

Old Orchard RoadAlmost 1,200 feet of Old Orchard road was paved in 2003, knocking down the dust of what was once a gravel road.

Business managers and owners praised the move, which cost $270,000, most of which was paid for by the property owners. The city contributed roughly $80,000.

Eventually, Old Orchard Road will connect Jackson Boulevard with the East Main Street extension.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635