SCOTT CITY-CAPE HIGHWAY TO BE MEETING TOPIC

SCOTT CITY -- It will be up to the public to push an alternate route between Cape Girardeau and Scott City to the top of the Missouri Department of Transportation's priority list.

"If it turns out that there is absolutely no interest in this project it would be rather foolish to spend that kind of money," said DawnRae Clark Fuller, a department project manager. "It always helps when we see that there is a diversified public interest in these projects. It gives us more perspectives to deal with than just our own."

Department representatives will talk to residents from 5 to 8 tonight at the Scott City High School cafeteria about the route. Another thoroughfare between the two cities would open up Interstate 55 and relieve traffic congestion at the intersection of I-55, Highway 61 and Main Street in Scott City.

Fuller said the department has moved some projects in its 15-year-plan back that have become less important over time.

"We're currently looking at how we assess which projects get built and in what order," she said. "As we look at transportation needs from an engineering standpoint, and then we get the public involvement needs, we prioritize them."

Any alternate route between the two cities would mean a new bridge over the Diversion Channel. Some possibilities are extending Route N from Scott City to Nash Road to Highway 74. Another option would be using old Highway 61.

"There is a road bed there in place," Fuller said. "One of the problems with old 61 is in Scott City that would not alleviate any of the congestion right there at that intersection."

One project near completion could begin alleviating the traffic problem in Scott City as soon as August. Nash Road, which will eventually cost about $11.5 million for a four-mile stretch, is set for final paving to be completed by Aug. 15, Fuller said.

"Right now they're constructing the actual driving pavement of that portion from the interstate to just this side of Ramsey Creek," she said. "They've just got a little bit of prettying-up to do, finishing some driveways, forming the curb and gutter, and making sure everything's shaped OK."

When it's finished, Nash Road will run from the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport exit off I-55 to the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

Port authority director Dan Overbey said it will be a relief to have that project completed.

"The port authority has been working for a long time on the Nash Road project," Overbey said. "The existing road goes through the middle of Scott City, and not only the port's traffic but also the rock quarry and Texas Eastern pipeline terminal trucks have to go through Scott City. It's a big step forward for us. It will provide direct access into the port from the interstate."

Nash Road also made Scott City a more desirable area for Lady Luck Gaming Corp. to establish a casino boat, Michael A. Hlavsa, Lady Luck Midwest region vice president, said.

Lady Luck and Scott City are both waiting for the results of a Missouri Gaming Commission review of the proposed casino boat and complex. The commission has put off a decision on the boat twice recently.

"We heard from the executive director that they wanted to try to do it in December," Hlavsa said. "That didn't happen. January's meeting was predominantly to license casino property in Kansas City, and we have not heard anything about an agenda yet for February."

Nash Road's access to the site where Lady Luck is hoping to put the casino boat will have no influence on the Gaming Commission, Hlavsa said.

"The road certainly makes the site that much more attractive to us," he said. "It provides an easy access and connection to those people who are in the region. Our site is directly off Interstate 55. The fact that it goes to our site and beyond that to the port kind of brings the whole thing all together."