Rodney Street bridge opens

The East Rodney Street bridge over Cape LaCroix Creek in Cape Girardeau opened Friday. A few finishing details will need to be completed, including striping and installing a handrail on the pedestrian bridge once the rail is delivered.

Paid for out of the Transportation Trust Fund, the project included: necessary grading, excavation and embankment construction, storm sewers, drainage structures, construction of a seven-inch concrete pavement with concrete curb and sidewalks, construction of a three-span precast concrete box beam bridge and approach slabs, retaining wall, concrete bicycle trail and other related construction items as shown on the project plans.

Nip Kelley Equipment Co. completed the work for approximately $673,569. The contract called for completion in February.

The Transportation Trust Fund is a result of an election in August 1995 when Cape Girardeau voters approved a five-year, 1/2 percent sales tax to fund 20 transportation improvement projects in the city. In August 2000, voters extended the existing tax to fund a total of 13 projects under the new program.