Street closing surprises facilities in Cape

Some retirees, parents of day-care children, bank customers and others may find their travel routines interrupted by construction work that will close a three-block section of Independence Street to through-traffic for the next two weeks or longer.

Construction workers are tearing out and rebuilding the Mount Auburn Road intersection in Cape Girardeau, and the traffic change takes effect today. But the city engineering department failed to notify some of the Independence Street businesses near that intersection.

Dr. Greg Leet, a Cape Girardeau optometrist who operates Leet EyeCare at 2909 Independence, said he and his staff first learned of the road closing on Tuesday morning from a Federal Express delivery man.

"I would have loved to have known this in advance," said Leet, adding that he would have alerted his patients to the traffic changes, particularly the closing of the Mount Auburn intersection over which many of his patients travel.

City engineer Mark Lester said his office notified Chateau Girardeau retirement center, First Missouri State Bank and Zimmer Radio, all of which are located at the Mount Auburn and Independence intersection. The other five businesses -- Leet EyeCare; Lowes and Drusch law firm; Bradshaw, Steele, Cochrane and Berens law firm; Just Kids day care; and the State Farm Insurance auto claims office -- located further east of the intersection weren't officially contacted.

Just Kids was notified by a parent who works for the city. Officials at the day care spent Tuesday notifying parents of the traffic changes.

Mayor Jay Knudtson, executive vice president at First Missouri State Bank, said the city staff should have notified all of the businesses along that section of Independence Street.

The intersection work is part of the $377,579 Mount Auburn Road widening project, which began in March and is scheduled to be completed by October. The traffic lights probably won't be activated until the entire project is completed, city officials said.

While the east side of the intersection is torn up, motorists won't be able to turn off Mount Auburn onto Independence or from Independence onto Mount Auburn. Northbound and southbound traffic on Mount Auburn will be restricted to the two westernmost lanes at the Independence intersection, but motorists won't have to stop. The stop signs temporarily will be covered up.

Lester said signs will be posted urging motorists to use Themis Street and Gordonville Road as detours.

Barricades are expected to be erected today, closing the three-block section of Independence to through traffic but clearly stating that "local traffic" will be allowed.

Hopper Road barricades

Barricades also are up on the eastbound lane of Hopper Road where a sewer project is under way. Barricades along several blocks of Hopper Road allow for "local traffic," but eastbound traffic is barred near Kingshighway where a large sign on the barricade states "road closed."

Police earlier this week ticketed motorists who drove past the "road closed" barricade. That won't be the case on Independence since the intersection at Silver Springs Road won't be closed to local traffic, city officials said.

Traffic for the Chateau Girardeau retirement center, First Missouri State Bank and the other businesses on Independence will be allowed, with traffic being able to enter and exit at Silver Springs Road, city officials said.

First Missouri State Bank also has access from Mount Auburn Road.

Knudtson said the inconvenience to customers is worth it in the long run because the intersection will be widened and traffic lights installed. "We are more than willing to accept that for the sake of progress," he said.

The contractor, Lappe Cement Finishing Inc. of Perryville, Mo., is adding crews to speed up the work, the mayor said.

By closing the roadway to Independence, the work can be done faster, Lester said.

"That whole intersection has to be rebuilt," he said.

Once the work is completed on the eastern two lanes of the intersection, work will begin on the western two lanes. Lester said Independence Street may be reopened or it may remain closed while that work is done.

Bob Strickland, administrator at Chateau Girardeau, said he has informed residents at the retirement center of the traffic changes.

He said it shouldn't be a major problem for Chateau Girardeau residents and staff who will still be able to get in and out of the three Independence Street entrances to the complex.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123