Major improvements ahead for West End Boulevard

Major improvements are coming to a section of Cape Girardeau's West End Boulevard, with construction expected to begin this fall on a project that has been on the city's drawing board for nearly five years.

"Right now, the project is still in the design phase," said Jake Garrard, project manager for the city.

Bowen Engineering & Surveying is doing the design work, which should be completed by August, he said.

City officials hope to award a construction contract by October, Garrard said.

The estimated $2.5 million project involves street reconstruction on West End Boulevard from Rose to Bertling streets. It also includes curb and gutter, sidewalks and storm sewer and streetlight improvements, he said.

That section of the street currently has no curb and gutter.

City officials want to keep the street open as much as possible during construction, he said.

There are no plans to close the entire street and every effort will be made to allow West End residents to access their driveways, Garrard said.

Utility work began this week in advance of the construction project, city officials said.

West End Boulevard, between Butler and Wayne streets, is scheduled to be closed through the end of the week for replacement of water lines, officials said.

The project will be funded with revenue from the city's transportation sales tax. Voters approved the project when they passed Transportation Trust Fund 5 in 2015, extending the tax for five years.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641