MoDOT looking into Kelso exit

The Missouri Department of Transportation says it will study installing a new interchange on Interstate 55 near Scott City as part of the Ramsey Creek Bridge project.

MoDOT project manager Eric Krapf said the project is still in its infancy, but a new interchange south of Scott City that would connect the Kelso area to the interstate and to a corridor running all the way to Nash Road may be included in the overall Ramsey Creek project, he said.

Installing a new interchange will be one aspect of the project included in an environmental assessment of the project's impact that recently began.

"In this environmental assessment we're studying a corridor from south of Scott City up to Route AB," Krapf said. "Connectivity to I-55 will be studied."

The environmental assessment is the second-most rigorous classification of study mandated by the National Environmental Protection Act, known as NEPA. The reason for the stringent standards is the project's possible impact to residences, businesses and wetlands that lay between Scott City's main residential area and its industrial park on Nash Road, or Route AB, north of the city.

The Ramsey Creek project will connect Route AB to Scott City's main area by installing a road and bridge over Ramsey Creek. Officials hope the new route will help reduce congestion at Scott City's I-55 interchange and open up new areas to development in the city limits.

Krapf said the assessment should take anywhere from 12 to 18 months due to the rigorous process of both the study and the several public hearings that will be held on proposed routes that come from the study.

Scott City Mayor Tim Porch said the city is keeping its fingers crossed for construction on the project to begin in 2008. Porch said the city knows the project will affect property owners and wants to make sure the process is as open and informative for city residents as possible.

"Some people will be happy, some people will be unhappy," he said.

However, Porch said MoDOT representatives have indicated to him a new I-55 interchange could take longer to complete.

Since a new interchange isn't guaranteed yet, there is no timeframe on construction.

A federal earmark of $5 million was secured last July for construction of the Ramsey Creek bridge and accompanying roads, along with money for the East Main Street interchange in Jackson. Local and state governments will be required to have a 20 percent match.

Some of that may be handled through MoDOT credits left over from previous federal/state projects, said Porch.

The details on the match haven't been completely worked out yet, said Bill Robison, MoDOT's district planning manager. MoDOT is working on a draft of a memorandum of understanding that will include details on funding and who will maintain what portions of road after the project -- state, city and county.

Copies of that memorandum can't be released yet, Krapf said.

Scott City administrator Ron Eskew said the city has $200,000 dedicated to the project from a special street tax. The Illmo Special Road District has also pledged to put up some money toward the project.

Scott County government has $400,000 that can be used toward the project if needed, said Commissioner Jamie Burger.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182