KEY AREA PROJECTS INCLUDED IN NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM BILL

Several area highway projects, including the Mississippi River bridge, received a major boost this week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed a National Highway System authorization bill.

The measure must still be approved by the Senate before going to the president for his signature, but most of the projects outlined for this area likely will remain unchanged by future legislative action.

Eighth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, who serves on the House Public Works and Transportation Committee and its subcommittee on surface transportation, said he's pleased with the projects included in the bill for southern Missouri.

The bill includes authorization of initial funding of $11.25 million for the Cape Girardeau Mississippi River bridge as an "authorized project," which is a move to break a stalemate with Illinois officials who have been reluctant to commit funds for its share of the project.

Missouri already has set aside state funding for the bridge in its 5, 10 and 15 year highway plans for approach work and construction of the bridge.

But Illinois has declined to commit funds. The position of the Illinois Department of Transportation has been that major bridges like this one and one proposed at Hannibal, need to be paid for primarily with federal funds.

Under the new highway bill passed in 1991, there is less federal money available for bridges than in the past.

To help end the stalemate over the Cape and Hannibal bridges, Emerson teamed up with U.S. Rep. Harold Volkmer, D-Hannibal, and Southern Illinois Reps. Jerry Costello and David Durbin, who have the bridges included as "authorized projects."

The bill also authorizes a number of highways as part of the National Highway system, which will help insure federal funding. Among those highways are 34, 60, and 67 and 412.

Other highways in the 8th district earmarked as part of the National Highway System are Highways 8 and 63 and Interstates 44, 55, 57, and 155.

"The National Highway System will enable southern Missouri to continue its economic growth through better roads and bridges," said Emerson. "Simply by getting those highways on the official NHS list, they will be better positioned to receive federal funds for future improvements and upgrades.

"Just like the Highway Law of 1991, this bill is directly linked to creating more jobs and a better livelihood in Southern Missouri. Commerce and industry rely upon moving goods and services quickly and efficiently -- NHS is paving that foundation."

The legislation this week also provides another boost for a possible east-west trans-America corridor known as the I-66 Project.

Language is included in the bill further supporting the concept of an I-66 and also reiterates a general route for the highway if further studies are conducted.

"We wanted to be sure that Congress reiterated its support for I-66 and the vehicle to do this was this NHS bill," said David LaValle, legislative director for Emerson.

In a letter to U.S. Rep. Nick Joe Rahall, II, chairman of the surface transportation subcommittee on April 25, Emerson asked for more specific language on the route of I-66 in the National Highway System bill.

The proposed route requested by Emerson and 12 of his colleagues in the April 25 letter is included in the bill approved by the House.

The wording states: "Commencing on the Atlantic Coast in the Hampton Roads-Norfolk area going westward across Virginia to the area of the Allegheny Highlands to enter the state of West Virginia and into the southeastern portion of Kentucky, through Kentucky to Illinois, and into Missouri exiting western Missouri and entering the southeast corner of Kansas westward through the southeast corner of Colorado. From there, entering the state of New Mexico in the mid-northern region to go on westerly along the northern sections of both New Mexico and Arizona continuing through Utah and Southern Nevada. Finally, the corridor would continue westward through the mid to southern California area to connect with the Pacific Coast."

Walt Wildman, co-executive director of I-66 Project Inc., said although the language in the bill for a route is vague, it is specific enough to keep the route from being moved to states like Arkansas and Oklahoma that were trying to be included on the route.

"What this does is nails down the route generally, and keeps it from being jockeyed to other states," said Wildman.

Wildman prefers that the route in this area run from Paducah, across Southern Illinois and into Missouri, following the Highway 34 corridor to Marble Hill, Piedmont and then tying in with Highway 60 around Van Buren.

Other options discussed were following Highway 60 through Sikeston, or running along Highway 412 from Tennessee across the Bootheel and into Arkansas and Oklahoma.

"The way it is worded is good for our part of the country," Wildman said. "I think the wording means it could go no farther south from here than Benton."

In a letter of support for I-66, Emerson referred to the highway as a "viable land bridge linking our nation from coast to coast."

He added that the corridor would be in the 350-mile area between Interstates 70 and 40 and reduce traffic by up to one third on the two highways, "extend their life expectancies, and serve as a catalyst for increased trade, economic development and opportunities for both rural and urban America."

Emerson said states along this corridor will be on the "trade route of the 21st century."