WALKER CREEK WORK CLOSES THEMIS BRIDGE

The narrow, Themis Street bridge over Walker Creek -- at the intersection of Themis and North Kingshighway -- was closed Friday so the contractor can remove the bridge and replace it with a wider and longer bridge.

City officials estimate the new bridge will be open to traffic in about 60-90 days. Meanwhile, motorists can utilize several detours while the new bridge is under construction.

Ken Eftink of the Cape Girardeau division of planning services said the city was notified of the closing Friday morning by the contractor. Eftink said the contractor, Shappet Engineering Co. of Rockford, Ill., planned to move a crane with "headache" ball to the site Friday afternoon to begin demolishing the old bridge.

The bridge replacement is part of the Cape LaCroix-Walker Creek Flood Control Project. Eftink said the old 20 by 20 foot bridge will be replaced by a new 50 by 50 foot bridge.

Eftink said, "While the new bridge is under construction, motorists can detour over Independence or Bessie streets. In addition, the management of Arby's has given us permission to use their privately-owned bridge as a detour. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company has agreed to let us use a portion of their property for motorists to get between Arby's and Themis Street."

Eftink said after crossing the Arby's bridge, motorists will make a sharp right turn onto the telephone company property and go south to Themis Street. He said detour signs will be posted at all three detours to guide motorists.

"The good news is that both northbound lanes of North Kingshighway will remain open during the construction of the new bridge," said Eftink. "This should keep traffic moving on North Kingshighway."

Eftink said the bridge deck will rest on vertical concrete walls that are also part of a large concrete basin being built in Walker Creek. The basin is similar to one being built in Cape LaCroix Creek.

When the Walker Creek and Cape LaCroix creek basins are completed, the widened creek channel will be able to handle a larger volume of storm water. That should eliminate or drastically reduce the impact of flash flooding along both creeks.