Road work ramps up in Cape; some sewer lines separated on William St.

Road work in the city of Cape Girardeau is ramping up, thanks to dry weather.

"We've had several projects on hold due to river elevations," said Kelly Green, city engineer.

The receding waters mean such projects as a new well field and the river walk extension can be resumed, she said.

Meanwhile, AmerenUE crews are working, caravan-style, on westbound Independence Street. They are moving utility poles in anticipation of the city's plans to widen Independence from Pacific Street to Kingshighway.

"They do the work but only close a lane or half a lane at a time so traffic can still get through," Green said.

At the same time, a combination of contract crews are busy on Morgan Oak and William streets, both related to the Fountain Street extension. An asphalt overlay is being applied to smooth out Morgan Oak. William Street was closed, just west of Lorimier, to allow crews to safely reconfigure sewers. According to assistant public works director Steve Cook, some existing water and sewer lines are being separated to meet new standards, with a sewer line being relocated to a Fountain Street alley.

"We don't want to build Fountain Street on the sewer line. That needs to be replaced. The sewer will go down the alley to the west of Fountain Street."

Further north, LaSalle Avenue construction is beginning. Green said crews are in the process of clearing the land destined for grading and paving.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127