MODOT PLANS I-55 BRIDGE WORK

There were more accidents along the short stretch of Interstate 55 between Nash Road and the Highway 74 Dutchtown interchange than anywhere in Cape Girardeau last year.

The 31 mishaps injured 10 people and damaged dozens of vehicles -- no surprise to those who drive there regularly.

"I've almost gotten hit by a big old wide-load three times," said Erin Ward, an employee of the nearby Rhodes Travel Center. "The on-ramp going north is nowhere near long enough."

Ward also complained that the bridge is too narrow and the on-ramps are full of wide, deep potholes.

"The Trans Am that I drive has got a plastic spoiler underneath and it's all busted," she said. "I'm glad to hear they're going to finally do something about it."

Missouri highway officials plan to drive down accident numbers by building a new northbound I-55 Diversion Channel bridge that will feature three lanes instead of two. In addition to replacing the 40-year-old bridge, the work will include Nash Road interchange improvements such as new turn lanes, lighting and infrastructure for future traffic signals.

Construction is expected to begin this fall and is scheduled for completion in 2003, said Missouri Department of Transportation project manager Eric Krapf.

Krapf agreed with Ward's assessment.

"We have an accident problem there," Krapf said. "There's really no room for an acceleration lane, and the one there now ends at the bridge. People are speeding up and trying to get over, and that has created a dangerous situation. Besides that, the bridge was getting old and needed to be replaced."

Open house scheduled

The transportation department is holding an open house Aug. 6 at Mac's Smokehouse at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport to discuss the work. Bids were accepted on the project on Friday, but the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will not consider the bids until its Aug. 10 meeting.

The low bid for the project was $10.6 million by Penzel Construction Co. Inc. of Jackson, Mo. The cost of the project will come from the road and bridge construction fund, which the state collects as part of its gasoline tax.

"The project has not been awarded," Krapf said. "But we wanted to begin sharing information with the public about the project's many improvements and its possible traffic impact as soon as possible."

As far as the work to the interchange itself, Krapf said, the project calls for moving the ramps farther from the bridge over the interstate, which will help with turning radiuses. Overhead light poles will illuminate the interchange. Elements of traffic signals such as conduits and cables will be buried to make it easier in the future to add traffic signals at the interchange.

"I have no idea when that will happen," Krapf said. "That interchange does not have enough traffic to warrant signals right now, but as the traffic grows in the future, it may."

While the work is taking place, northbound and southbound traffic will use the southbound lane and southbound bridge.

The bridge will be designed to withstand an earthquake, Krapf said.

Police Cpl. Kevin Eudy, who works in the traffic division, said the main trouble with the existing bridge is the lack of any real acceleration ramp. He said he believes the project will have an immediate impact upon completion.

"I definitely think we'll see a noticeable difference in the number of accidents when the project is finished," he said.

Want to go?

WHAT: Public meeting on new I-55 bridge, interchange

WHEN: Aug. 6 from 2-7 p.m.

WHERE: Mac's Smokehouse, Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

DETAILS: For more information, call (573) 472-6607