P&Z RECOMMENDS TRANSPORTATION WORK

Cape Girardeau is moving another step closer to eliminating traffic bottlenecks along some major streets, widening other thoroughfares and adding sidewalks and street lights.

The Planning and Zoning Commission finalized a list of general projects and suggested street projects Wednesday that would mean an extension of the current Transportation Trust Fund.

The fund is designated to pay for specific street improvement and construction projects approved by voters in 1995. Revenue is gained from a one-half cent transportation sales tax in the city.

If the suggested projects gain approval of the City Council, a measure to extend the tax for another five years would have to be approved by voters. The council must decide by May whether to place the issue on the August ballot. The council meets again April 3.

If an election isn't approved for August or later, then the city has no other means of paying for the extensive work, said Kent Bratton, city planner.

Commission members are confident the list of projects, which totals $20 million, and sources of revenue are sound. "We hope it's a good list," said Charles Haubold, chairman of the commission. "We have to have input and need it," Haubold said.

Estimates from the city's finance department projects $20,600 in sales-tax revenue generated over a five-year period. Neither the costs nor projected revenues are dramatic differences from the 1995-2000 Transportation Trust Fund program.

The commission narrowed its list for a 2001-2006 program from the original list of suggested projects. Members of the council, city staff, city residents, civic groups and the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee helped compile the original list of 42 streets in need of repairs or improvements.

The list of 42 was narrowed to 20, which was then approved by voters in 1995. Those projects are nearing completion as the tax nears its end Dec. 31, 2000.

While the proposed list isn't as long as the previous list, it does include some high-dollar projects. That could be a concern for residents when the issue comes to a vote, said commission members Harry Rediger and R.J. McKinney.

"Last time we had a lot of smaller projects," Bratton said.

While the city has fewer street improvements on its proposed list, "we have taken care of and gotten rid of" some earlier problems, said Tom Mogelnicki, a commission member. "Now we can apply that to bigger and more major projects."

The city hopes to get grants to pay for some of the street lighting projects, which can easily add to the overall cost of a project. Street lighting cost estimates from AmerenUE have risen 30 percent in the last year.

Street lighting, which may sound insignificant, can have a great impact both financially and as a safety feature. There is a strong feeling among the council to enhance street lighting, said Doug Leslie, public works director. Public works receives calls from residents wanting better street lights, he said.

While few people are interested in infrastructure projects like sewer and water improvements, the streets that run in front of their houses are important, said Bratton.

RECOMMENDED PROJECTS

These projects were suggested for council approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. After council approval, a series of public meetings are slated for early April to get input.

General projects:

* Paving.

* Repairs to streets, curbs and gutters.

* Repairs to existing sidewalks.

* New sidewalk construction.

* Install street lights.

Specific projects suggested:

* Widening Independence from Kingshighway to Pacific.

* General improvements to Independence from Sprigg to Water streets.

* Widening Siemers Drive from William Street to Bloomfield Road.

* New construction of Silver Springs Road From Southern Expressway to Kingshighway.

* New construction of Silver Springs Road from Shawnee Parkway to Southern Expressway.

* New construction of Bloomfield Road (Phase 3) from Siemers Drive to Stonebridge, including new bridge at Ramsey Creek.

* Widening and improving Broadway from Perry to Houck.

* Widening Mount Auburn Road from William Street to Bloomfield Road.