MOTORISTS' INDEPENDENCE NEARLY RESTORED ON STREET

In a few days contractors are expected to restore independence on Independence Street.

And another phase of the $40 million Cape LaCroix-Walker Creek flood control project will be completed.

Cape Girardeau motorists who have been unable to go east on Independence beyond Kingshighway can take solace that relief is in sight.

"Weather permitting, Independence should be opened up going eastbound at the intersection of Independence and Kingshighway by Friday," Ken Eftink, the city's planning coordinator, said. "The contractor hoped to have had it open last Friday, but then rain kept that from happening."

The intersection of Kingshighway and Independence is one of the most traveled in the city, which delayed construction on the flood control project.

"If it doesn't rain, the eastbound lane should be open by Friday," Eftink said. "Hopefully, the delay will not last more than a week."

The eastbound lane at the corner of Independence and Kingshighway has been closed since Aug. 15.

"The heavy rains we've had lately have delayed the project at that intersection," Eftink said.

The next phase of the Cape LaCroix-Walker Creek flood control project will involve work on the Broadway bridge.

Traffic on Broadway will be limited to one westbound and one eastbound lane beginning in February. That phase of the flood control project is expected to be completed next fall.

Bids will be taken today on the Broadway Bridge phase, with construction to start some time in February, Eftink said. Once that is completed, Kingsway will be closed so culverts can be added to the Broadway bridge.

Construction at the corner of Kingshighway and Bloomfield Road is expected to be completed by late February.

"There were more delays on that phase of the project than any other," Eftink said.

Construction was halted for several months last summer over a dispute between the contractor and the owner of the old Silo building.

Then on Nov. 21, Darron Jansen of Kelso was killed after being struck by a steel beam.

Jansen, an employee of Dumey Excavating Co. of Oran, was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical center from a massive head injury.