More than 50 miles of smoother roads coming to area

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission recently awarded two construction contracts for more than 52 miles of roadway resurfacing projects in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and St. Francois counties.

These resurfacing contracts, which include applying new asphalt over existing pavement along several routes in the area, were both awarded to Lead Belt Materials Company, Inc.

One contract for $941,894 is designated for 31 miles of resurfacing in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties.

The other $531,244 contract will cover 21 miles of resurfacing in Madison and St. Francois counties.

Improvement areas include:

Bollinger County

8.1 miles of Route M (from Route 51 to Route B)

7.5 miles of Route UU (from Route B to Route 34)

2.3 miles of Route VV (from Route M to the end of state maintenance)

Cape Girardeau County

4 miles of Route 25 (from Route 34 to Route K)

.1 mile of park roads in Bollinger Mill State Park

Perry County

9.1 miles of Route 51 (from just south of Interstate 55 to the Bollinger County line)

These resurfacing projects are part of MoDOT's annual program designed to maintain existing pavement and provide a smoother ride for motorists. The contractor anticipates that work will begin in the spring and be completed in the fall.

"We may be holding off a few months before construction actually begins, but awarding the contract this winter uses taxpayer dollars more wisely," said district engineer Scott Meyer.

Routes involved will only accommodate one lane of traffic while resurfacing is under way. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near work zones.

For more information, call MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at (888) 275-6636.