SCOTT CITY -- With dirt-moving equipment rumbling down a steep hill in the background, the ceremonial first shovel was turned Thursday afternoon on a highway project that will bring increased economic activity to the area.
The ceremony marked the first stage in extending Route AB from Interstate 55 at Nash Road to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port.
On hand were about three dozen people, including port commissioners, representatives of the general contractor, Bloomsdale Excavating Co. and officials from local, state and federal governments.
This stage of the $1.89 million highway project includes grading and drainage work along 1.675 miles, beginning about a mile east of the interstate and extending to the Missouri Pacific Railroad line.
Mysie Keene, chairman of the port authority board, called it a milestone day. She said the success of the port depends on its ability to use all modes of transportation to move goods in and out of the port by road, rail, river or air.
John Oliver Jr. of Cape Girardeau, vice chairman of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, called the project an example to the rest of the state and show what cooperation can do.
Oliver said a project like this can provide jobs for generations to come. He said the project shows what can be achieved when there are people of good will working together with vision and leadership.
State Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau said the beginning of the road project was a fulfillment of a dream since he had spent over six years on the port authority board. The road will help to make the port "the glittering economic jewel that it can be," he said.
Freeman McCullah, district engineer for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, said planning of the road project was completed in three years when it would normally take seven.
U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson called the road the "last remaining milestone to make the port a viable entity." He said the project is a good example of what can be accomplished with cooperation between government and the private sector.
Dan Overbey, port executive director, said he was pleased to see work start on the project, which has been a priority since trucks will have better access to the port from the interstate. He said the port has just bought a railroad line and is getting a train engine to complete another priority.
Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan said he was glad to see the project under way.
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