ROCKFORD FIRM HAS LOW BID ON WORK HERE

Shappert Engineering Inc. of Rockford, Ill. is the apparent low bidder for the Walker Branch segment of the Cape LaCroix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project in Cape Girardeau.

The Army Corps of Engineers and opened seven bids on the project. Shappert's bid of $6.5 million is within the range of the Corps of Engineers estimate.

The corps will review the bids and construction is expected to start in September. Completion of the project is slated for May 1995.

The flood control work includes 4,200 feet of concrete creek channel and six bridge replacements along Kingshighway. The new channel will be 50 feet wide and vary in depth from about 14 feet at the downstream end to six feet near Broadway.

The six bridges that will be widened or replaced are at the creek's intersection with Good Hope Street, Town Plaza, Independence Street, Themis Street, Arby's restaurant and Bessie Street.

The city will fund replacement of the bridges, and Union Electric Company is setting new poles to move the power line that runs along Walker Branch.