Road projects await passage of TTF3 issue

Cape Girardeau would move ahead with nine major road projects if city voters approve a half-cent sales tax measure, Transportation Trust Fund 3, on the Aug. 2 ballot.

Here's what would be done:

LaSalle Avenue: The most expensive project on the list, it could cost more than $3.1 million.

The proposed 2.5-mile route would involve construction of a new two-lane street with shoulders on both sides. It would replace much of County Road 618, a winding, tree-shaded asphalt road that runs from the interstate to Route W. A new section of pavement would extend through the Southeast Missouri State University farm whose acreage is being turned into a research park.

City officials said the street will become the northern entrance to the city and provide a route through a growing residential area where subdivisions have replaced farm fields and pastures.

Armstrong Drive: City leaders believe it could become another Siemers Drive -- a highly traveled street lined with big-name businesses. Cost: $1.9 million.

Currently Armstrong Drive exists only as a small roadway for two governmental buildings -- the Division of Youth Services and the Office of Probation and Parole -- before trailing off into the countryside.

The new roadway would provide a connector street from Siemers and Bloomfield Road to Route K, and ease traffic congestion in the busy commercial area west of Interstate 55.

Bend Road: This project would widen Main Street from Mill Street to Mason Street and make improvements on Bend Road. Cost: $1.9 million

The project would include installing curb and gutter along Bend Road, and storm drainage work. A sidewalk would be constructed along Bend Road, probably on the east side of the street, Bratton said. The Sloan Creek Bridge also would be upgraded as part of the project, and the grade possibly reduced on Bertling Street at Bend Road.

Mount Auburn Road: The city plans to widen Mount Auburn Road to four lanes and add a left-turn in spots along the thoroughfare. Cost: $1.7 million.

Bloomfield Road: Project would widen Bloomfield Road from Stonebridge Drive to and including the Benton Hill Road intersection. Cost: $1.09 million.

Vantage Drive: Construction of what amounts to the start of an outer road east of I-55. The initial phase would extend from Kingshighway to Scenic Drive in the Ashland Court subdivision. Cost: $892,000.

Kingshighway and Cape Rock Drive: The project would make major improvements to the intersection. Cost: $693,000.

Construction of a free-flowing right-turn lane for traffic turning onto Cape Rock Drive will be done by the Missouri Department of Transportation in conjunction with resurfacing work on Kingshighway. The city is paying the cost of the turn lane and then will be reimbursed by MoDOT. A cul-de-sac will be built on Kingsway Drive near St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

The TTF3 project would relocate the junction of Broadview and Maria Louise streets farther west of the Kingshighway-Arena Park intersection to eliminate some of the traffic congestion.

Sprigg Street: Improvements from Highway 74 to William Street could help traffic flow. Construction could include two right-turn lanes, one to allow motorists on Morgan Oak to more easily turn north on Sprigg Street, and another at Sprigg and William streets to allow motorists southbound on Sprigg to turn and head west on William Street without getting stuck in traffic. Cost: $315,000.

Fountain Street: The plan is to extend Fountain Street two blocks from Morgan Oak to William. Cost: Still to be determined. TTF3 would provide $300,000. Coupled with a $500,000 federal grant, it would be enough to build a conventional, concrete street. Old Town Cape redevelopment group is seeking grant money to build a more decorative street.

Source: City of Cape Girardeau