ROAD PLAN GETS COOL RECEPTION; LOCAL OFFICIALS DISPLEASED WITH STATE PRIORITIES

Local officials expressed surprise and disappointment after meetings Tuesday in Cape Girardeau and Jackson at which officials of the Missouri Department of Transportation announced priorities for highway projects.

Of the three top-priority projects for Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Cape Girardeau County, two were on a list for future consideration and the third wasn't on the list.

The MoDOT list included 13 projects or studies given the go-ahead. Among top priorities are expansion of Highway 34-72 west of Jackson from two to five lanes and improvements to Route K at Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau.

The three top projects for local officials have been a Jackson East Main Street interchange with I-55; an extension of Highway 74 from the new I-55 overpass to Route K, bypassing the congested Route K-I-55 intersection; and improvements at the U.S. 61-I-55 interchange between Cape Girardeau and Jackson commonly called Center Junction.

"I'm just not happy about that announcement and the low priority of those projects we have said are priorities," said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander. "This is not at all what the cities wanted to hear."

Jackson is proceeding with a street construction project, taking Main Street eastward to I-55.

"If anyone in Southeast Missouri can justify an interchange on I-55, it's Jackson and Cape Girardeau," Sander said. "Instead we see interchanges going to our north and south where the growth just isn't as substantial."

Cape Girardeau City Manager Michael Miller echoed Sander's disappointment and said the Highway 74 bypass remains a viable alternative in his mind.

"We are concerned about overcrowding at the interchange of K and 55," Miller said. "Despite their numbers, I think we can alleviate some of that overcrowding by moving cars off that interchange. This is very disappointing."

Gerald Jones, presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County, agreed. "We're quite disappointed and surprised that the three major projects that we're most interested in didn't rate a higher priority," said Jones. "But there's always another way."

Jones expects the local governments to put together a new plan to give the three highway projects a boost on the construction list.

"Or maybe we need to be a little innovative and attack this from a different angle," he said. "I look at this as a setback but not a defeat."

In announcing the projects, Scott Meyer, MoDOT district engineer, said the improvements to Highway 34-72 west of Jackson from two to five lanes is a priority.

"It would be irresponsible of the department to not focus on the safety of the children and many others who travel this segment of Route 34 daily to and from school and work," Meyer said. "We are being reasonable and responsible by focusing on upgrading this route that is so heavily utilized."

The proposed improvement will match the five-lane stretch of Highway 34 east through Jackson.

West of the Highways 34-25 intersection, Highway 34-72 passes Jackson High School and entrances to the junior high, middle and elementary schools.

In expanding the roadway, an estimated 26 buildings, mostly homes, would be demolished.

Along Route K in Cape Girardeau, some improvements are expected quickly. At the entrance to Notre Dame High School, for example, a turning lane or traffic signals or both are being considered.

Small segments of the road will be completed as needed heading toward a goal of an overall widening of Route K. The same is true on Highway 25 south of Jackson.

Raymond Steege, an engineer with QST Infrastructure, the company that did the engineering study, said the Highway 74 bypass favored by local officials isn't justified.

He explained that the bypass project would cost $10 million, but the Route K and I-55 interchange improvement, which still would have to be done, also will cost $10 million.

Ten-thousand cars pass through the intersection daily. Of those, 2,500 come from residences along the proposed bypass path. Another 2,500 are headed to I-55. Another 2,500 are headed to the businesses at the busy Route K-I-55 intersection. The other 2,500 cars are headed to Kingshighway.

Steege said if the bypass were built and 5,000 cars were diverted off Route K, the improvement to Route K still would be needed.

"We think we can solve all the problems with improvements to Route K only," he said. "Then we won't spend the other $10 million."

Sander, Miller and Jones disagreed.

"We've certainly had a good relationship with the MoDOT officials," Sander said. "They've done a very good job of trying to keep us informed of what they're doing. We're not at odds. We just don't agree."

EXPLANATION OF PROJECTS IN MAP ON PAGE 1

The Missouri Department of Transportation Tuesday announced transportation improvements in progress or under consideration for Cape Girardeau and northern Scott counties.

The projects are shown on a map on page 1. An asterisk shows that projects are in early research stages and studies under way.

Projects in development

1. Route AB-Interstate 55 interchange improvements.

Progress update: The department is working on plans to lengthen the acceleration lane on northbound I-55. The exit ramps will be enhanced to improve turning for trucks.

Anticipated construction time line: Work on the acceleration lanes should begin in mid 2001 with completion in mid 2003.

Approximate cost estimate: $7.5 million.

* MoDOT is also beginning a study of congestion along I-55 from Scott city to the Fruitland interchange. The study is likely to be completed in 1999.

* 2. Scott City and Cape Girardeau connector

Progress update: MoDOT is studying if an outer road between Cape Girardeau and Scott City is the best option or if a connection in a different location would better serve the area.

Study completion: Early 1999.

Anticipated construction time line: Not before 2003.

Approximate cost estimate: $15 million to $20 million.

5a. Route 74 roadway improvements and improvements to Route 74-I-55 interchange

Progress update: A study is expected to recommend a four-lane divided roadway along Route 74 between Blomeyer on Highway 25 and Cape Girardeau. Improvements would also be made to the I-55 and Route 74 south interchange.

Study completion: Early 1999.

Anticipated construction time line: Not before 2002.

Approximate cost estimate: $61 million.

5b. Route K and I-55 interchange improvements

Progress update: An upgrade to the Route K interchange is recommended. The change would consist of a single point, diamond type interchange similar to that of I-55 and Lindbergh in St. Louis.

Anticipated construction time line: Not before 2002.

Approximate cost estimate: $10.

* 6. Highway 34

Progress update: In July, MoDOT selected QST Infrastructure Inc. to finalize a location study to determine potential improvements from Jackson to Van Buren. The contract is being negotiated. Preliminary research on the 85-mile corridor began in March with input sessions hosted by MoDOT.

Anticipated study completion: fall 2000.

8. Highways 34-72 west of Jackson

Progress update: A study will recommend upgrading Highways 34-72 west of Jackson to a five-lane roadway.

Study completion: Early 1999.

Anticipated construction time line: Not before 2002.

Approximate cost estimate: $16.3 million includes right-of-way purchases and long-term improvements to Highway 25 and Route K in next section.

* 9. New bypass from Highway 34-72 intersection to Highway 61-I-55 at Fruitland

Progress. The feasibility of this concept is part of the Highway 34 location study, No. 6 in this report.

11a. East Main interchange in Jackson

Progress update: The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, MoDOT and community leaders from Jackson are communicating regarding funding matters. Interchange funding participation by the state could be increased if the roadway connection is enhanced to meet specific guidelines that will accommodate increased traffic volumes.

Anticipated time line: Dialogue between the state and elected officials will continue.

Long-term improvements within the next 20 years

4/7a. Route 25 and Route K roadway improvements

As part of the location study winding down in the Cape Girardeau/Jackson area, center turn lanes would improve traffic flow. Additional improvements have been noted. Improvements will begin by focusing on areas with the most safety concerns.

Approximate cost estimate: Included in number 8 of this report.

16. Route 177 improvements

Raising the roadway above the 1993 flood level has been identified as a medium priority by a study of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

Approximate cost estimate: $2 million, not including substantial right-of-way costs.

17. Center Junction development (U.S. 61 and I-55 between Cape Girrdeau and Jackson.)

Improvements to the northbound lane will take place shortly to assist with the increased traffic in the area. The area will continue to be monitored after these improvements take place to determine the effect on traffic. Similar work on the southbound ramps is anticipated within five years. This improvement has been designated as a long-term need by a study of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission. The project could move ahead if substantial development takes place near the intersection.

Approximate cost estimate: $5 million.

18. Highway 61 widening

The functionality of this segment of the highway north of Jackson to Fruitland will continue to be monitored.

Projects in progress or completed within the last year

Under construction

20. Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge

Construction time line: Completion in 2002.

Approximate cost estimate: $90 million.

21. Route J at Procter & Gamble

Progress update: A segment of Route J was relocated in conjunction with Procter & Gamble's expansion. It opened September 1997. A temporary bridge is in place. The permanent structure is in progress.

Construction time line: The new bridge is expected to be open in 1999.

Approximate cost estimate: $2.5 million.

In final stages of development

22. Highway 61 improvements at Fruitland

Progress update: Route 61 will be improved to six lanes near Fruitland. The overpass structures will be replaced and new traffic signals put in place.

Construction time line: Summer 1999 construction begins. Late 2000 construction complete.

Approximate cost estimate: $7 million.

23. Oak Ridge interchange construction

Progress update: Provides access to I-55.

Construction time line: 1999 finalize design plans. 2000 construction begins. 2001 construction complete.

Approximate cost estimate: $2 million.

24. Center Junction northbound ramp turn lanes

Progress update: The turn lanes will be widened to provide an additional turn lane to the left, towards Jackson, and to the right, towards Cape Girardeau. This should reduce traffic backups on I-55.

Construction time line: Work begins in October. Completion expected by the end of 1998.

Project cost: $219,340.

Recently completed

25. Highway 74 Shawnee Parkway and I-55 Interchange

Opened: October 1997.

Cost: $29.2 million

26. Route AB-Nash Road extension

Opened: October 1997

Cost: $10 million