Next phase of Bloomfield project to begin Monday

The Bloomfield Road project has progressed to phase II ahead of schedule, say Cape Girardeau city engineers. The final phase of the widening and resurfacing project begins Monday and will force residents of nearby subdivisions to divert 2.9 miles to reach Route K via Benton Hill Road and 5.3 miles to reach Wal-Mart.

The construction will widen the half-mile stretch of Bloomfield Road to 32 feet and add a 4-foot sidewalk on the north side.

Nip Kelley Equipment Co., contracted to do the work, expects the project to be complete by July 1.

This phase will mean the closure of a temporary gravel road which was used by residents of Stonebridge subdivision to connect to Siemers Drive. An access route will remain open for police and emergency personnel only.

Residents are appreciative that city officials have kept them apprised of the progress and abandoned initial plans to close the entire stretch for three months.

"It's inconvenient, but I think the city has approached this very well. As much as anything that comes from keeping the residents well informed," said John Stehr of Windwood Lake Drive. "We understand that during the next phase we won't be able to use the gravel detour road, but from my perspective I applaud the city and I think they've taken a new tack this time."

Beginning Monday, the stretch of Bloomfield Road between Ramsey Creek Bridge and Siemers Drive will reopen. This will allow businesses including Cape Electrical Supply Inc. and a local postal processing center to resume the use of normal entrances and loading areas.

Assistant city engineer Abdul Alkadry said he's been pleased with the progress, particularly the moving of utility lines without any interruption of service. "They have moved gas and telephone lines without any problems," he said.

AmerenUE and Charter Communications will move area electric and cable lines next week.

Alkadry is unsure whether people in nearby neighborhoods will lose water at any time during upcoming moves. "People might lose water for a short time and we might have to issue a boil water order," said Alkadry. "That would affect anybody using the water main west of Ramsey Creek Bridge. It depends on the process of how you connect the new main ... Hopefully we won't have to do that."

The $801,104 project is funded by Transportation Trust Fund 2 money approved by voters in August 2005.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245