Lexington Avenue project set to wrap up in June

Motorists should experience a much smoother ride once construction work wraps up on the Lexington Avenue improvement project, according to Cape Girardeau city officials.

The City Council awarded a contract to Nip Kelley Equipment Co. last summer to perform the work. Construction on the more than $721,000 project began last fall with concrete patching on Lexington from Sherwood Drive to Cape Rock Drive, city engineer Casey Brunke said Thursday.

The project also includes new sidewalk construction on the north side of the street, removal and replacement of portions of driveways and curb and gutter, and adjustment of existing utilities and manholes, Brunke said in an agenda report to the council last July.

The final part of the project involves paving that section of the street with an asphalt overlay, Brunke said.

She added the entire project should be largely completed by June 15.

Brunke said the construction work has reduced traffic to a single lane. Motorists are advised to follow the detour signs, she said.

Residents who live along the street can get to their homes and have taken the construction work in stride, Brunke said.

But some motorists traveling through the area have not followed the detour signs, creating a safety problem, she said.

Transportation sales tax money is being used to fund the project, Brunke said.

The Transportation Trust Fund 5 project was approved by voters in 2015 as part of the renewal of the transportation sales tax.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641