OFFICIALS HOPE REPORT ON I-66 ONLY A SETBACK

Local officials agreed Friday that some conclusions in an executive summary of a feasibility study on the proposed Interstate-66 was a setback to the project, although no one knew for sure just what the ultimate impact will be.

Complete copies of the feasibility study will be distributed next week, and the Kansas City firm that conducted the study will discuss its findings at a meeting in St. Louis July 7. But based on the summary, the study shows that a project of the magnitude of I-66 is not economically feasible on a national scale.

"I have only seen a summary, but not the complete report, and the summary is certainly a significant setback for those who had the foresight to envision a highway or transportation corridor through Southeast Missouri," said John Oliver, a member of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.

Oliver said the report is certainly "not hopeful," but the project still has some life until rejected by Congress.

The concept of an east-west transAmerica corridor is one of 21 high priority routes included for study in the federal highway bill. This study was partially paid for with $100,000 appropriated by Congress.

Eighth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, said Friday in a brief statement that in light of the report he would be looking for other ways to improve transportation in southern Missouri.

As a member of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee and its surface transportation subcommittee, Emerson has been instrumental in getting Congress to take a look at the concept of I-66.

"After briefly reviewing the I-66 Project Executive Summary, the initial findings reaffirm to me that an improved transportation infrastructure directly translates into economic growth and jobs," said Emerson. "Although the report does not suggest a coast-to-coast corridor at this time, I want to point out that it does say certain segments could be desirable on a state-by-state or regional basis. I will use this information to look for new ways to connect Interstates 44, 55, 57, and 24 in order to make our region the transportation hub of the central United States.

"Accessible and viable roadways, waterways, railways and airways all round out our nation's and our region's intermodal transportation network. We must continue to look for new ways to enhance our highways and link them with other important corridors."

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President John Mehner said he took note of comments in the study summary that certain parts of the corridor might prove to be feasible.

Said Mehner: "The golden part of that entire report is they urge areas to study parts of the corridor they view to be economically feasible. As president of the Cape chamber my predominate interest is in a four-lane highway between Paducah and Springfield. That is what we as a chamber were predominately interested in the beginning."

Walt Wildman, co-director of I-66 Project Inc., said when he first read the summary he was upset by the conclusion. But now, after reviewing it and talking with state and federal highway officials, it may not be as bad as it seems, he said.

But, with Wildman and his project task force out trying to raise funds for a fiscal year starting July 1, he admits things could be tough for a while.

"In no way is this the end of the road, but then it's not too helpful either," said Wildman. "Obviously, I would like to have seen the conclusion written with a different tone. It creates a public relations problem for me; I'm not sure how much until I talk to folks."

He said, "I think this report probably creates more questions than it has answers. The final question will be answered by Congress."

Wildman said officials in the Federal Highway Administration still need to study the complete report and make recommendations to members of Congress and staff.

Wildman said he has sent copies of the summary to members of the task force around the country and they are starting to call him. "I am telling my folks to reserve their final opinion until they hear the final report July 7 in St. Louis. The guys who wrote the report will be there to explain it."

Mehner said he will attend the meeting in St. Louis and make a report to his board of directors at its next meeting.

"We have always supported I-66 as a concept and reaffirmed that position this year. Our position statement is that we would evaluate this on a yearly basis so we could monitor what happens through the congressional level," said Mehner.

"But from Cape's standpoint, we want four lanes west to an interstate and four lanes east to an interstate. That helps our traffic picture considerably."

Upgrading of Highway 60 to four lanes from Sikeston to the existing four lanes at Willow Springs is under way, so the next push in this area needs to be connecting Cape Girardeau and Paducah, Mehner said.

Wildman said he believes there are other economic feasibility tests that could be applied to the I-66 concept that would make it feasible. He suggested that the most stringent test was applied, and "if that standard was applied to any highway we had it would not be there."

Wildman said he also has concerns "over the objectivity of the steering committee," comprised of representatives of state highway departments along the corridor to help the engineering firm.

Since the concept originated from the grassroots level and went to Congress, that process upset many state transportation department officials. "A lot of Department of Transportation people in some states saw this as a potential black hole for funds because it was so massive," said Wildman.