OAK RIDGE EXIT GETS NOD

JACKSON -- A month of deliberation on the Oak Ridge or Jackson interchange dilemma climaxed in a two-minute news conference Thursday, where the Cape Girardeau County Commission said Oak Ridge's exit ramps should be completed first.

The debate began last month when the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission asked the county commission its opinion on whether a new I-55 interchange should be placed at Route E, a few miles outside Oak Ridge, or at Jackson, where the East Main Extension would extend to the interstate in five to 10 years.

Commissioners initially balked at the task but eventually started research, fearing their lack of response would be perceived as a lack of interest in getting an interchange.

In their research, they considered traffic flow, cost and economic impact.

Oak Ridge already has an overpass, so adding exit ramps would cost only $2 million, including right of way. Jackson's project would cost $4 million, not including right of way.

"It's how you look at money," County Commissioner Joe Gambill said. "If someone says, `I'll spend $2 million in your community in three years, but if you want $4 million, you have to wait 10 years,' there is only one choice."

District 10 Engineer Jim Murray said under the current program, Oak Ridge's interchange could be constructed between 1998 and 2001 if expected federal funds materialize.

Oak Ridge residents have said their interchange was planned from the outset of I-55 construction but then skipped for some reason. It was listed on the highway commission's program for right of way acquisition and construction approved Sept. 9, 1994.

In a statement at the news conference, Presiding County Commissioners Gerald Jones said Oak Ridge should stay on the program, and access to schools and emergency services for Oak Ridge citizens should be a consideration in setting priorities.

He added that highway commissioners should not rule out an I-55 interchange at Jackson, which would create the greatest growth and fastest economic impact for the area.

Neither Jackson Mayor Paul Sander nor Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Roger Tatum, who has headed up the drive to get an interchange at Oak Ridge, seemed surprised at the outcome.

Sander stressed he never saw the prioritization between Oak Ridge and Jackson as a battle. He said Jackson officials just wanted to promote traffic flow into "the fastest-growing city in Southeast Missouri."

"We will wait and see what the highway commission's final verdict is and where we stand," Sander said. "If we are not put on some sort of plan, we will set back the timetable on the second phase of the East Main Extension."

Road crews are working on the first phase of the extension, which runs from Shawnee Boulevard to Oak Hill Road. The second phase would run out to the interstate.

Highway commission members could discuss the county commission's decision a week from today at a meeting in Springfield. Highway Commission Chairman Thomas Boland said the county's input was sought because the interchange situation here was unique -- one interchange was already on the plan but a strong argument could be made for another.

"We will certainly take into account their recommendation," Boland said. "As for a decision, I can't speak for five other commissioners."