MAYOR SAYS CITY `COMMITTED TO BRIDGE'

Two Cape Girardeau City councilmen said Friday it is wrong to interpret the council's action to support lobbying efforts for I-66 as a lack of support for a new bridge over the Mississippi River.

"The city is committed to the bridge," Mayor Albert M. Spradling III said.

"The two projects are separate," Councilman Melvin Gateley added.

State Highway Commissioner John L. Oliver Jr. warned council this week in a letter to Spradling that it was sending the wrong message to federal officials when it contributed $5,000 to I-66 Project Inc.

Oliver said there is fierce competition for federal highway dollars, and seeking money for another I-66 study before bridge funding is authorized could jeopardize bridge funding.

Spradling said the city's main focus is on the bridge.

"That is a near-term project that funding is being requested for. I-66, or whatever it turns out to be, is a long-term project that will also benefit the community."

The mayor said he doesn't believe funding will be problem in Congress with the two projects.

But because U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson supports both, he would be in a position to straighten things out, Spradling said.

Gateley said he read Oliver's comments in the Southeast Missourian Friday with a great deal of interest.

"We are very, very interested in a bridge for the welfare of this area,' he said. "It is a must for this area from the standpoint of economics and safety."

He said he didn't hear "anyone couple I-66 and the bridge together."

Gateley said if Oliver feels council needs a more active effort to secure funding for the bridge, he would support doing whatever is necessary.

Both Gateley and Spradling said the city staff and previous councils have worked closely with highway department officials on the bridge project over the years.

Walt Wildman, executive director of the I-66 project, asked council to contribute $10,000 to that effort.

But Gateley said some council members were unsure about whether to contribute funds. So, they decided to reduce it to $5,000 to secure a unanimous vote.

Gateley said it is important council supports not only projects near construction, like the bridge, but also innovative projects, like I-66, which could be built in the future.

District 10 Highway Engineer Freeman McCullah said Congress needs to approve bridge funds early next year or work will be delayed.

He said to do the first phase of the bridge next fall unless the money isn't available, he said.

A highway bill that passed the House this year included $11.5 million for the bridge, but the Senate didn't approve it before adjournment.

Emerson, a member of the committee and subcommittee that oversees the highway bill, said Thursday he was optimistic Congress would approve a highway bill next year.

Spradling said Oliver's comments hurt funding for area highway projects because they suggest a controversy.

"One of the complaints he has had over the years is we in this area never have our act together and have a lot of controversy," Spradling said.

"But his comments in the paper certainly creates more controversy and is more harmful that having two projects requesting funds from Congress," he said.