New road connects farmers to port, customers to businesses

Safety was cited over and over agin as the biggest benefit of Route AB, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the new road Tuesday.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, past and present Cape Girardeau County commissioners and State Representatives Billy Pat Wright and Ellen Brandom were on hand for the ribbon cutting, moved inside the Missouri Department of Transportation garage off Route AB due to rain.

"I remember several years ago a couple of farmers lost their lives up on the 74 and 55 interchange in tragic accidents," said former Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Larry Bock. "Hopefully, we can keep that from happening now."

The new four-mile road gives trucks direct access to SEMO Port without having to drive on Interstate 55 from Highways 74 and 25.

The $6 million project included acquiring right of way for the extension, construction of Route AB to connect the Highway 74 and Highway 25 interchange, and a roundabout at the intersection of the three roads. A combination of county, state and federal funds financed the project that has been in the works since the late 1990s.

"It takes vision, it takes tenacity and sometimes it just takes a while to get things done," said Mark Shelton, district engineer with MODOT.

Area business owners who attended the ceremony said they hope the new road will bring more traffic to their businesses.

"This will increase my business because I'll have people coming from the interstate, going South on 25 where otherwise they might go a different route and miss Delta," said Rick Cobb, owner of Delta Lube & Tire. "I think it's a great thing to have."

Roger Moore, who owns The Roundabout bar and grill at the Blomeyer junction, said Tuesday was a "fantastic day" for his small community.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Highways 74 and 24, Blomeyer, Mo.