Wet weather delays utility work for Veterans Memorial Drive project

The closing of a section of Hopper Road earlier this month to allow for road construction has frustrated residents who complained to city officials they have yet to see any construction occur.

Cape Girardeau City Council members raised the issue at Monday night’s council meeting. Ward 6 Councilman Wayne Bowen and Mayor Harry Rediger said they have received complaints from several residents.

But Alex McElroy, the city’s development services director, said recent wet weather has delayed utility relocation work that must take place before any road construction can begin to extend Veterans Memorial Drive south to Hopper Road.

“We were ready May 9 (when Hopper Road was closed), and it rained,” he told the council.

Major utilities converge at what will be the intersection of Hopper Road and Veterans Memorial Drive near the Interstate 55 overpass.

Ameren, Charter Communications and AT&T have major utilities to relocate in that area, McElroy said. Ameren and AT&T have utilities that cross the interstate at that location.

City staff members also hope to accommodate connections for a future tornado siren.

“Unfortunately, it is not highly visible work,” McElroy said about the initial stages of the road project.

Rediger said, “Hopefully, we will get the project underway in the near future.”

Jake Garrard, an engineer with the city, said Wednesday that Ameren will relocate above-ground lines, and AT&T and Charter will relocate above- and below-ground utilities.

The three utility companies are developing a ”general schedule” for the work, Garrard said.

R.L. Persons Construction Co. of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, will do the road construction at a cost of $1.68 million. Hundreds of trees along the hilly and ravine-filled area bordering the east side of I-55 have been removed to clear the way for street construction.

The work is expected to be completed by fall, weather permitting.

When finished, Veterans Memorial Drive will extend from Scenic Drive to Hopper Road. As part of the project, Hopper Road will be straightened to eliminate a curve and improve traffic safety, officials said.

The road improvements will allow motorists quicker access to North Kingshighway and I-55 from surrounding subdivisions, officials added. The extension of Veterans Memorial Drive, which runs parallel to I-55, also will open up commercial opportunities along the road, city officials said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Hopper Road at Interstate 55 overpass, Cape Girardeau, Mo.