ROADS OPEN AS RIVER SLOWLY RECEDES

If the Mississippi River cooperates, Highways 74 and 177 could be opened today .

The river dropped half a foot to 43.2 feet Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau gauge.

Highway 74 is open to County Road 214 but remains closed at Dutchtown. The exit ramp from I-55 at Highway 74 is open.

Crews were working Wednesday to clear the gravel levee from Highway 74 at Dutchtown. The roadway could be open today.

Highway 177 is still closed near the Cape Girardeau city limits and near the Procter & Gamble Co. railroad tracks, but a section of the road north of the city limits has opened. It's possible for the road to open today, depending on what the river does.

In Southern Illinois, all the state highways are open, except Highway 3 at the Jackson-Randolph county line north to Chester. That stretch of highway isn't expected to be open until early next week.

A reduced speed limit is in place along Illinois 3 through McClure because of seepwater, which is coming up through the pavement.

The Ohio River bridge at Cairo into Wickliffe, Ky., has been open for more than a week.

Traffic delays may be taking place along Illinois 3 and 146 from construction to repair damage from the 1993 flood.

In Alexander County, roads into Unity and Hodges Park are open. The community of Willard is also accessible again to four-wheel drive vehicles. The roadway may be clear of water by today.