MoDOT gets deed for East Main project

A final piece of the puzzle fell into place for the Missouri Department of Transportation on Thursday when it acquired the last right-of-way deed for the East Main Street Interchange project.

At a special meeting of Jackson's Board of Aldermen, city attorney Tom Ludwig handed over the 6-acre deed of land to Andy Meyer, MoDOT project manager.

Meyer said it was crucial to acquire the deed so that MoDOT can advertise for bids on the $8.3 million interchange project in July.

"If we receive favorable bids and the commission awards the contract, then construction will start in September," Meyer said.

Before beginning the project, right-of-way deeds were required from three property owners: Southeast Missouri State University, developer Earl Norman and Randy and Larry Reutzel. The 54 acres of donated land will be home to the future interchange at the end of 2007.

The interchange project on Interstate 55 will include a five-lane East Main Street with two eastbound and two westbound lanes and a center turn lane. It will also have a dual left-turn lane at the interchange ramps. The new lanes will be constructed under I-55.

"It's very good this happened today," Meyer said of acquiring the deeds. "It allows us to stay on schedule."

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander agreed with the MoDOT project manager.

'Time to move forward'

"We had such a short time frame to get this done. Now it's time to move forward with this important project," he said.

The city of Jackson is responsible for a two-phase project extending East Main Street from Old Orchard Road to the future interchange. The city advertised for bids in March and on Tuesday the bids will be opened, said Rodney Bollinger, public works director.

Bollinger estimates a bid will be awarded on May 1, and construction on the first phase of the project is expected to begin at the end of May or early June.

"We're supposed to have everything wrapped up out there by Halloween," Bollinger said.

Phase one of the East Main Street extension, estimated to cost $900,000, involves demolishing an existing house, clearing the land, excavating rock, inserting a water and sewer line and constructing a storm water detention basin.

The second phase, which is scheduled for 2007, will include the concrete paving of a four-lane road and sidewalks. This phase is estimated at $600,000.

Cape Girardeau plans to rebuild County Road 618 -- to be renamed LaSalle Avenue -- and extend the road to I-55.

The city is still in the process of selecting an engineering firm to design LaSalle Avenue, said city planner Kent Bratton.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246