MEETING WILL DISCUSS EXTENDING NASH ROAD

Plans to expand Nash Road west to intersect with Highway 25 at Blomeyer depend on right-of-way acquisition for the four-mile project.

Acquiring the right of way will be the top discussion item on the agenda for a number of people meeting this week at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce building, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road.

"We'll discuss the status of the proposed extension and what has to be done to get the project moving," said D. Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girar-deau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

A lot of the discussion will be on financial requirements for the right of way, said Robinson. "We're looking to raise $150,000 to $200,000 for right-of-way acquisition."

The Missouri Department of Transportation has indicated it will take an interest in the road proposal if right of way can be obtained by local officials.

Members of the Industrial Development Authority of Cape Girardeau County, Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, Greater Cape Girardeau Area Benevolent Association, and Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association have been invited to the 1:30 p.m. Thursday meeting.

"We want to know if they are interested," added Robinson.

The extension of state Route AB, or Nash Road, has been on the back burner a number of years.

"I've been interested in the project since it was first discussed," said Dan Overbey, Southeast Missouri Regional Port director.

Alleviate truck traffic

The four-mile extension, from the BioKyowa facility west to Highway 25 at Blomeyer would alleviate heavy truck traffic to the port and industries along Nash Road, said Overbey.

Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Larry Bock agrees.

"It would be an asset to farmers in the area, wanting an alternate route the port facility," said Bock.

Safety is another issue.

Some 40 to 60 trucks from the port and other nearby industries enter Interstate 55 at Nash Road daily.

With new industries coming to the area, the number of trucks getting on the interstate at Nash Road is likely to increase to more than 200 a day, said Overbuy.

Trucks traveling west from the port and the Nash Road Industrial Park to Highway 25 from the port now must enter I-55 at Nash Road, then go north to the Dutchtown exit or south to the Scott City exit before turning west toward Highway 25. With the extension, trucks could take the new route to Highway 25.

Estimate for the four miles of gravel road two years ago was $500,000. That figure, which is in addition to right-of-way cost, could be greater now.

The idea of expanding Nash Road westward is not a new one.

"It has been discussed over the past decade," said Overbey.