Scott City residents call Ramsey Creek project 'a good start' to ease traffic

The Ramsey Creek bridge and outer road extension planned by MoDOT may ease traffic for one part of Scott City but some residents wonder if it won't create new problems further north.

MoDOT officials unveiled the plan at a public meeting Thursday in Scott City. Nearly 60 people arrived to scrutinize aerial maps and watch computer animations by MoDOT highway designer John Bechtold showing actual traffic patterns and how the new road and bridge would shift traffic patterns.

"It would essentially give people a second option to get out of town," said Eric Krapf, MoDOT engineer. He said the three-phase project would build a road parallel to Interstate 55 and a bridge over Ramsey Creek to allow drivers a north route to Cape Girardeau. Turn lanes would be added to Route K and, if any money is left from the 2005 $5 million estimated cost, it would be used to add ramps to and from southbound I-55.

After gathering public comments last year, MoDOT officials responded to suggestions by agreeing to add a turn lane to Route K, which is also Scott City's Main Street. They also agreed to link the new outer road to Warner Avenue -- a welcome first step in dissolving 20-minute waits in sluggish traffic during peak travel hours.

Tom Hodgkiss, who lives at 411 Ruth St. in Scott City, said the project was "a good start." The retired electrician said he was glad to see the map, which he said shows that residents to the east of I-55 will find a much easier way out of town.

Scott City administrator Ron Eskew said that, in addition to easing traffic, the new road and bridge will improve emergency management options. He said emergency vehicles will be able to get to destinations more quickly during peak traffic hours.

"Everyone knows the problem we have with congestion, especially in the mornings," he said. Scott City's population is only 5,000, but he said as many as 10,000 cars travel the road each day.

Eskew said the only recurrent concern at Thursday's MoDOT meeting seemed to be whether the improvements would push the traffic jam north. George Pendergrass, chairman of Scott City's paving committee, believes it will. Pendergrass said one solution could be adding stop lights to regulate traffic.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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